SELANGOR, December 30 — Roche (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the pharmaceutical division, partnered with the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia (LCNM) to host a panel discussion titled ‘A Breath Of Fresh Hope.’ The event aimed to shed light on the escalating rates of lung cancer, particularly among young, non-smoking Malaysian women. With over 2.2 million global lung cancer cases reported in 2020, a staggering 79% increase in recent decades, lung cancer has become one of the top three malignancies in women globally. The panel, moderated by Ms. Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia, included specialists who emphasized the need to raise awareness and enhance diagnostic and therapeutic tools for women facing lung cancer, a demographic often overlooked.
Dr. Anand Sachithanandan, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Co-Founder of LCNM, highlighted factors contributing to lung cancer in women beyond smoking, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, radon, and family history. Despite less than 2% of women in Malaysia being smokers, lung cancer ranks as the fourth most common malignancy. The panel discussed the barriers to proper diagnosis, including social stigma and misconceptions associated with non-smokers. The call to action focused on raising awareness of risk factors and promoting regular health screenings to transform the landscape of lung cancer in Malaysia.
Deepti emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, stating, “There is a need to bolster the infrastructure of oncology care and work towards equitable therapeutic access for women with lung cancer, regardless of their socio-economic status. Both Roche and LCNM are dedicated in their support for the cause and are exploring future collaborations for continued advocacy.” The event concluded with a collective commitment to address the challenges associated with lung cancer, especially among non-smoking women, and promote early detection and intervention for better outcomes.
