When Puan Roziah was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2014, her life turned upside down. But what followed wasn’t just a personal health battle, it marked a new chapter in how cancer is being treated in Malaysia.
Under the care of Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), Roziah became one of the first Malaysians to benefit from precision medicine, a modern cancer treatment that uses genetic testing to tailor therapies to each individual’s tumour.
“Being told I had cancer was devastating,” Roziah said. “But I wasn’t ready to give up.”
Her doctors used a cutting-edge tool called Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to map the unique genetic changes in her tumour. Based on that, they selected a targeted drug therapy that directly attacked the specific mutations fueling her cancer.
The results were promising. Roziah continued working in customer service, supported by her husband and determined to live as normally as possible. Although side effects like hair loss and nausea were difficult, the treatment gave her more time and more quality in her life.
In 2021, her cancer spread to her brain. One tumour was removed through surgery, but another smaller one began to grow. Instead of invasive surgery, her medical team recommended radiosurgery, high-precision radiation therapy done in just 20 minutes.
“It was quick, painless, and I didn’t even need to be admitted to the hospital,” she said. “That small tumour stopped growing.”
Roziah’s story is more than inspiring, it’s a glimpse into the future of cancer care. Her doctors, led by Consultant Pathologist Prof Dr Pathmanathan Rajadurai, published Malaysia’s first genomic data on lung cancer. Their research showed that Malaysian patients have unique gene mutations, such as EGFR and KRAS, which respond better to specific targeted drugs.
“Thanks to genomic profiling, we now have a clearer path to treat cancer more effectively and with fewer side effects,” said Prof Dr Pathmanathan.
Traditional cancer treatment often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, with chemotherapy or radiotherapy delivered according to general cancer types and stages. However, not every tumour behaves the same way.
Enter precision medicine.
“Precision medicine is a game changer. It tailors’ cancer treatment to each individual’s genetic makeup, rather than applying the same treatment across the board,” explains Prof Dr Pathmanathan. “By understanding the mutations that drive a patient’s cancer, we can choose therapies that specifically target those mutations, resulting in better outcomes and fewer side effects.”
Precision oncology, once a concept reserved for research hospitals, is now part of clinical reality at SJMC.
But access remains a challenge.
“Cost, awareness, and infrastructure are real barriers,” Prof Dr Pathmanathan admits. “We are working to overcome this by collaborating with industry partners, expanding insurance coverage, and conducting awareness campaigns. Importantly, we are investing in training and infrastructure to bring this technology to more Malaysians.”
Roziah remains a symbol of resilience and progress. “I’m still here, and I’m still moving forward,” she said with a smile. “Don’t let fear take over. Keep going, one day at a time.”
