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research spotlight
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH: BRIDGING LABS, CLINICS AND COMMUNITY

Show you care, be aware - Partnered with Worldwide Breast Cancer, Professor Nur Aishah and her team aim to promote
early detection of breast cancer through an innovative, effective breast health education.

PROFESSOR DR NUR AISHAH BINTI their family members are managed by the
MOHD TAIB Risk Management Clinic since 2009 by a team
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY of senior consultants, and Risk Assessment

Clinic since 2016 in collaboration with UMMC
Breast cancer research in University of Malaya Medical Genetics Unit (headed by Professor
has always had a multidisciplinary focus Thong Meow Keong).
ranging from public health, clinical trials to
precision medicine. The team aims to produce The genetics group has been awarded the
evidence for the advancement of humanity Wellcome Trust and Newton Fund to study
and specifically to improve breast cancer genes that can identify at-risk individuals
outcomes in Malaysia. In 2012-2016, the group in the population through GWAS, hence,
was awarded the HIR grant which produced 96 bringing precision screening to Malaysia. UM
Tier 1 papers, 10 PhD’s and 4 Master students. has contributed patients in this large study
Beyond HIR, the group has remained active in through the UMMC mammogram cohort in
various research and community activities, collaboration with Professor Kartini Rahmat, Dr
highlighted as follows: Farhana Fadzli and Professor Ng Kwan Hoong
from the Department of Biomedical Imaging.
GENETICS RESEARCH
Collaboration with Cancer Research Malaysia Bio-specimens and clinical data of cancer
(CRM) led by Adjunct Professor Teo Soo patients and controls were banked for research
Hwang has brought our knowledge on the purposes. Using case-control design, Vitamin
prevalence of BRCA 1, 2 and other hereditary D as a risk factor has been studied. Biomarkers
genes in Malaysia through the Malaysian in early detection study are currently underway
Breast Cancer Genetics Study (MyBRCA) with Professor Onn Hashim’s proteomics team
incepted in 2003. High-risk individuals and at the Department of Molecular Medicine.

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