by Dr. Doris Chow Sze Ying, Resident Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Sunway Medical Centre Penang

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Malaysia. Early detection through regular screening, followed by precise, individualised therapy, is now the cornerstone of modern breast cancer management.

At Sunway Medical Centre Penang, our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and specialists work together to provide personalised, holistic care. By combining expertise across medical treatment, emotional support, and rehabilitation, we ensure patients receive the right therapy at the right time while feeling supported every step of the way.

Personalised therapy has transformed breast cancer treatment by moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to care tailored to each patient specifically. Genetic testing, molecular profiling, and advanced imaging are used to identify the unique characteristics of a tumour and choose treatments that target it most effectively. Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, when used appropriately, can improve outcomes and enhance quality of life. Advanced genomic testing also helps doctors avoid unnecessary treatments, making care safer, more precise, and better suited to each patient’s needs.

Innovations in imaging and radiotherapy have transformed how we diagnose and treat breast cancer. At Sunway Medical Centre Penang, the use of PET/CT scanning allows doctors to obtain detailed, three-dimensional images that reveal not only the location of cancer but also its activity level. This provides vital information for staging and treatment planning, ensuring that therapy is accurately targeted.

TomoTherapy – Radixact X9 takes radiotherapy to the next level with AI-assisted technology that boosts both precision and efficiency. The Varian TrueBeam system delivers radiation with remarkable precision and speed, targeting tumours accurately while sparing healthy tissue. It is also used for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), allowing doctors to treat small, complex tumours in the brain and body. These advanced systems allow us to treat cancers with extreme accuracy, making treatment faster, safer, and more comfortable for patients.

Breast cancer is a complex disease that requires more than just treatment—it demands expert care, early detection, and ongoing support. A dedicated breast cancer team ensures patients receive coordinated care under one roof, addressing not only the medical aspects of cancer but also the emotional, physical and psychological needs. With this, patients can look forward not just to surviving cancer, but to living fully, regaining strength, and thriving with confidence and hope for the future.

by Dr. Juani Hayyan Abdul Karaf – Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), Head & Neck Surgeon

As Malaysians enter the new year with goals to lose weight, eat better or exercise more, many do not realise that these resolutions often fail because of disrupted and insufficient sleep rather than lack of discipline. Late nights, constant screen exposure and irregular routines have left many adults in chronic sleep debt, affecting metabolism, immunity and mood while increasing risks of hypertension and heart disease.

“Malaysians are aware that sleep is important, but they may not realise how dangerous the long-term effects of poor sleep can be,” says Dr. Juani Hayyan Abdul Karaf, Consultant Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) and Head and Neck Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV). “Lifestyle demands, prolonged working hours and stress have left many people chronically sleep deprived”, she adds.

One of the first changes of sleep disruption occurs in appetite regulation, where lack of sleep affects two key hormones that control hunger. Leptin, which signals fullness, drops, while ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, rises. This imbalance increases cravings for sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods, making it more challenging to follow a balanced diet. Sleep deprivation also raises cortisol. Elevated cortisol leads to irritability, low patience and persistent fatigue, which can make individuals turn to convenience foods for quick energy.

Dr. Juani notes that how a person feels upon waking is one of the clearest indicators of sleep disruption. “If someone wakes up feeling heavy-headed, it suggests they did not get adequate restorative sleep,” she says. Snoring is often the earliest sign of poor sleep, yet it is dismissed as normal. From an ENT perspective, snoring becomes a concern when it appears together with symptoms such as nasal blockage, frequent nasal discharge, difficulty swallowing or signs of apnoea.

“An ENT assessment is helpful for those with habitual snoring or morning tiredness, as it allows us to identify any structural obstruction in the nose or throat,” she says. “A sleep study may also be recommended to understand the severity.” Consistent bedtimes, reduced screen exposure, dimmed lighting and calming routines help stabilise the body’s internal rhythm and prepare it for rest. With the right support, whether through lifestyle changes or proper ENT evaluation, Malaysians can make 2026 the year they finally restore the restorative, uninterrupted sleep that powers their health goals.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity is located at Lingkaran SV, Sunway Velocity. For enquiries, please contact +603 9772 9191 or email smcv-enquiry@sunway.com.my. For more information or to learn more about Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, visit http://www.sunwaymedicalvelocity.com.my (Facebook: Sunway Medical Centre Velocity).