Personalising Cancer Care: A Journey Towards A Person-Centred Cancer Journey at SJMC

Cancer affects millions worldwide, not only affecting individuals but also their families, both physically and emotionally. Amidst the challenging journey, Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) emerges as a beacon of hope, advocating for a more personalised, person-centred approach to cancer care. SJMC is committed to putting patients at the centre of every decision while bridging the care gap.

SJMC’s CEO, Mr Bryan Lin commented that as a leading cancer centre in the region, SJMC has served many cancer patients and survivors over the last 21 years, from young to old. He emphasised the hospital’s unwavering dedication to prioritising patients, ensuring that every aspect of treatment reflects a holistic and compassionate approach. This dedication has earned SJMC the esteemed title of Centre of Excellence for Oncology Services by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) - the first in the APAC region. Mr Bryan Lin further outlined the hospital's vision for personalised cancer care, driven by cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and a profound sense of empathy.

The Director of SJMC Cancer & Radiology Centre and Imaging Services, Ms Catherine Lee, provided insights into the comprehensive services offered. From state-of-the-art diagnostics to tailored treatment plans, SJMC integrates medical expertise with personalised attention to address each patient's unique needs. SJMC has also gone the extra mile to create a warm and cosy environment. Boasting a wide range of spacious and personalised areas that come complete with amenities for patients to feel right at home so that they can focus on what matters most: their recovery journey. Special emphasis is placed on creating engaging spaces for children, with livelier aesthetics and volunteer groups often conducting immersive activities.

The belief that “a patient” is not alone clearly shines in the utmost care and dedication provided by the multidisciplinary staff, from cancer care coordinators to counsellors and oncology educators. Through collaboration and support, patients are empowered to navigate their cancer journeys with confidence; a clear sign of SJMC’s seamless and thoughtful experience tailored to individual needs.

A panel of doctors consisting of Dr Teh Mei Sze (Consultant Breast Surgeon, Oncoplastic), Dr Bala Sundaram Mariappan (Consultant Urologist) and Dr Matin Mellor Abdullah (Consultant Oncologist) took time to share insights on cancer care advancements. Dr Bala, one of the select few Malaysian doctors trained in the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, commented on the advancements in robotic surgery at SJMC. He highlighted how these advancements have made surgery less invasive to patients.

One piece of advice that stood out during the session was given by Dr. Teh. She emphasised that upon receiving a diagnosis, it is not recommended to make drastic changes to your diet or food intake. Many people may be inclined to switch to a vegetarian or keto diet due to cultural beliefs, but it is generally recommended to maintain your current diet and make changes gradually instead. This is especially important as protein is an essential nutrient for tissue repair during treatments.

Dr. Matin agreed with the importance of making moderate changes to one’s diet while also commenting on the enhancements of immunotherapy as an effective form of cancer treatment in killing melanoma cells and preventing the spread of them throughout the body.

SJMC is proud to be the home of many cutting-edge cancer technology and services. This includes Radiation Oncology Facilities such as Tomotherapy, a radiation delivery system that provides 3D imaging. With precise targeting, Tomotherapy is more efficient due to the reduced treatment sessions required. The Linear Accelerator, another radiation delivery system with pinpoint accuracy, is utilised in targeting a range of different cancers such as prostate, head, neck, lung, and brain cancer, amongst others. In efforts to reduce prolonged treatment durations, Intraoperative Radiotherapy provides effective high doses delivered in a single session during surgery for early breast cancers.

To better diagnose and assess treatment plans, SJMC provides the latest in their Nuclear Medicine Facilities. From digital PET/CT machines that reduce scanning time with up to 30% lower radiation dose, to using special tracers and theranostics that aid both diagnosis and treatment of cancers. These services allow practitioners to catch early metastasis of cancer and monitor for any signs of responsiveness, such as shrinking.

SJMC further pioneers in Vascular Interventional Radiology (VIR), a technique that performs minimally invasive vascular procedures. This includes Transarterial Chemo Embolisation (TACE), a procedure that precisely targets a large dose of chemotherapy drugs right into the tumour. TACE puts more of the drugs right on the cancer cells to lessen their effect on other tissues while blocking the blood supply to the tumour. In addition to TACE, SJMC provides cryoablation and microwave ablation options to treat cancer cells and tumours. These showcase SJMC’s commitment to providing only the highest standards of medical services and safety to their patients.

Noor Shareena Aleeya is a brave survivor who shared her experience with breast cancer treatment at SJMC. She had to undergo a mastectomy and implant, followed by chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Despite being diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer, Shareena was able to manage her responsibilities as a mother and a full-time career. She reflects on the importance of compassionate guidance and thorough informational support that helped her make informed decisions and aided in her recovery. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire other women facing similar challenges to show resilience and perseverance.

Lavaniyah Ganapathy, a mother of a child Leukemia survivor, echoes the sentiment of personalised care at SJMC. Despite the challenges faced by her daughter, Lavaniyah found solace in the unwavering support of the hospital staff. As the diagnosis and treatments occurred during the lockdown of the COVID-19 period, there was no one else physically around for her. The group of nurses, doctors, coordinators and counsellors became her support system during those challenging times. She has taken it upon herself to become an advocate for children's cancer awareness. She advises parents to always be truthful with their children, to normalise the word cancer and not lose hope. She believes that “life has to move on, so face through it together with your loved ones”.

Johnny Hoo is a symbol of resilience who has survived Stage Four non-small cell lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, which helped him achieve remission for two years. However, he later relapsed and had to undergo further immunotherapy along with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Throughout his recovery journey at SJMC, Johnny remained strong and learned how to live life while managing his illness. He stressed the importance of undergoing health screenings as early as possible to detect and mitigate any possible signs of cancer.

In a world where cancer can often feel like an impossible challenge, SJMC stands as a beacon of hope, redefining the landscape of cancer care with its person-centred approach. As articulated by the many inspiring voices of survivors and healthcare professionals, SJMC’s commitment to personalised treatment goes beyond medical expertise—it encompasses empathy, support, and unwavering dedication to each individual's journey towards recovery and healing. At SJMC, they don't just treat cancer; they go above and beyond to empower survivors to embrace life with resilience and hope.

For more information, please visit: www.subangjayamedicalcentre.com

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