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science cafe

improved the patients’ knowledge and satisfaction. The programme also enhanced cancer care
coordination among departments and the patient experience in UMMC.

Dr Chui Ping Lei (Department of Nursing) subsequently presented an on-going project on the
effects of mindful breathing on perceived stress and mindfulness among cancer patients. Ms
Stella Kong Yik-Ching (National Clinical Research Centre, MOH) presented the team’s findings on
financial needs of breast cancer patients in Malaysia, and the various coping strategies patients
have adopted. Dr Caryn Chan Mei Hsien (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) also explored the
psychological distress faced by cancer patients and her collaboration with FOM researchers in
conducting a trial of psycho-educational intervention for the patients. These studies highlighted
the need for care and support to be extended to those patients in the early stage of cancer
diagnosis and management.

The session continued with Ms Yoon Sook-Yee (Head of Familial Cancer, Cancer Research
Malaysia) on the success of the national genetic study, “Mainstreaming Genetic Counselling”
for genetic testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Malaysian Ovarian Cancer Patients (MaGic Study),
and psycho-social research on patients and their families. Ms Hamizah Sa’at (Department of
Surgery) also presented her study on the exploration of decisional needs in Malaysian BRCA
carriers in opting for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. The decision quality can be improved
with better patient’s knowledge, well-facilitated communication with doctor and reduced
decisional conflicts. Ms Grace Yeoh Kar See (Department of Surgery) subsequently presented
her PhD study on clinicians’ perspectives on breast cancer risk management for BRCA mutation
carriers in Malaysia. A patient decision aid is important to provide communication and delivery
of personalised cancer risk management to BRCA carriers in Malaysia.

Lastly, Dr Lee Yew Kong (Department of Primary Care Medicine) shared with the audience his
research on coping strategies of Malaysian women with recurrent ovarian cancer. It was found
that the coping strategies were mostly in place for the women interviewed, and the strategies were
unique to the Malaysian setting where there is a strong religious element and family involvement.

For more information, please contact Research Management Unit (03-79677515).

June is National Cancer Survivors Month in the
USA and several other countries.

Information on cancer support groups in
Malaysia is available here:
https://www.cancer.org.my/about/what-we-do/
support/support-groups/

Image: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
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