Centre for Cancer Research & Centre for Stem Cell Research
International Webinar Series Episode-1
“Breast Cancer”
24 April 2021
The Centre for Cancer Research and the Centre for Stem Cell Research, FMHS UTAR, successfully organised the International Webinar Series Episode-1 “Breast Cancer” on 24 April 2021, 10 AM – 12.30 PM (Malaysia time: GMT +8) via the Zoom meeting platform. Four distinguished speakers were invited to share their knowledge on the latest advancement in research and clinical practice in breast cancer management. A total of 75 participants (undergraduate & postgraduate students, researchers, specialists, and allied health staff) from the various institutions and universities participated in a fruitful discussion and Q&A session of the event.
Clinical Associate Professor Dr Yan Naing Soe Lim, the Organising Chairperson of this webinar, warmly welcomed the participants and thanked all speakers and participants for taking their time to join this webinar. He also expressed his appreciation to the advisors and organising committee members for successfully organising this international webinar. Dr Yan expressed hope that this webinar would facilitate the exchange of ideas in research and clinical management of breast cancer for participants to generate new ideas and collaborative partnership. He ended the opening address by wishing all participants a fruitful webinar.
The first speaker was Professor Dr Leong Chee Onn, from the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Malaysia and Deputy Director (Research), Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Malaysia. Prof. Dr Leong shared the work done by his group on the targeting of breast cancer stem cells by using high-throughput chemical library screening.
Dr Noor Ezmas Mahno from the Department of Surgery, Kulliyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia then updated the participants regarding the current management of early breast cancer in Malaysia.
Following this, Dr Kyaw Toe, staff surgeon at the Breast Unit at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, shared the experience of his institution in terms of breast conserving surgery. Dr Kyaw talked about the principles of breast conserving surgery and how it was done in the past and the current practice.
Finally, Clinical Associate Professor Dr Myo Oo, from the Department of Population Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, talked about implementation research and its importance in breast cancer research.
A Q&A session followed the talk where each speaker took turns to answer some questions from the participants. The Q&A session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr Leong Pooi Pooi and Dr Fann Rui Jeat.
Professor Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Chairperson of the Centre for Stem Cell Research, gave the closing remarks on behalf of the webinar organising committee. He thanked the speakers and participants for the successful webinar. He acknowledged the challenging aspects of breast cancer management but also the many opportunities and need for good research that will pave the way towards better treatment and management for a brighter future for breast cancer patients. Prof. Dr Alan concluded the webinar by highlighting the on-going donation drive for setting up a not-for-profit private hospital by UTAR in Kampar and encouraged participants to donate to the hospital’s building fund.
Group photo of the speakers, organising committee members and participants of the webinar.