HPV Infections and Cervical Cancer Awareness Seminar
in Conjunction with Stress Free Campaign
31st October – 1st November 2017, UTAR
Aimed to create public awareness about cervical cancer and to promote an understanding of healthy lifestyles. As part of CCR’s ongoing commitment to create cancer awareness, CCR has organised the HPV Infections and Cervical Cancer Awareness seminar in conjunction with Stress Free Campaign by the Department of Student Affairs Counselling & Guidance Unit. Talks were delivered on cervical cancer, focusing on promoting prevention through vaccination and healthy lifestyles.
During the event, National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) offered free health screening such as free check for Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol and glucose test, blood pressure check, Pap smear and breast screening along with the HPV Vaccination.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Talk
17 August 2017, UTAR
The centre has a long-term collaboration with Centre for Extension Education (CEE) to conduct talks on cancer for the Sungai Long community including UTAR staffs and students. This year CCR organised the Prostate Cancer Awareness Talk with the aims to increase public awareness on prostate health.
Clinical Prof Dr Swaminathan S. Manickam and Clinical Assoc Prof Dr Thaw Zin spoke on a few topics including the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and the risk factors of prostate cancer, the symptoms of prostate cancer, the available screening programmes and the general outline of the current treatment and management of prostate cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Seminar
31 March 2016
Presentation of cheque to National Cancer Society of Malaysia
The UTAR Centre for Cancer Research (CCR) organised the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Seminar on 31 March 2016 at the Multi-purpose Hall in Sungai Long Campus.
The seminar aimed to create public awareness about colorectal cancer and to promote an understanding of healthy lifestyles in accordance with the CCR's commitment to educating the public on the importance of screening and prevention.
The seminar's chairperson, Sheela Devi in her opening speech said that World Cancer Day is a chance to make a change. There is much to be done to eradicate colorectal cancer and we must first understand that early detection can save lives. She also said that UTAR CCR has always shown support in order to bestow awareness of cancer and its prevention strategies.
"Awareness is very important. In UTAR we not only encourage staff and students to do research in cancer, but also to go out and get involved with society to heighten awareness," said UTAR Vice-President R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei in his speech. He also said that medical expenses can be reduced if society learns to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The one day seminar comprised of six talks, which include "Colorectal Cancer: A Lifestyle Cancer", "Updates on Colorectal Cancer", "Cancer Prevention using Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Bowel Screening for Colorectal Cancer", Benefits of Probiotics on Gut Health", and "Benefits of Exercise & Oncology Rehabilitation for Colorectal Cancer".
Centre for Cancer Research Chairperson Prof Dr Lim Yang Mooi introduced the six speakers who were experts in their respective fields, namely National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Cancer and Health Screening Clinic Head Dr Dalilah Kamaruddin, KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital Consultant General, Gastrointestinal, Endo-laparospic Minimally surgeon Dr S. Kumar, National Cancer Institute, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Unit Head Dr Lim Ren Jye, UTAR Department of Medicine Head Prof Dr Shelly Soo, Chr. Hansen sales manager in Asean region Cheah Tien Keat, and UTAR Physiotherapy lecturer Imtiyaz Ali.
"By coming to this seminar, we have learnt how to give correct information to the patients and society," said Aisyah, a nurse from the National Cancer Institute. Her colleague Haslina added that they learned from the seminar new techniques to handle patients in certain cases and that the talks really helped them in their line of work.
During the seminar, Prof Lee presented a cheque worth RM1,048 by UTAR CCR to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. The donation came from 50 percent of the proceeds from sales of cancer support ribbons.The participants in the seminar came from the National Cancer Institute, Tung Shin Hospital, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Sungai Long Medical Center, and UCSI University, besides those from UTAR and the public.
Opening speech by Sheela Devi
Prof Lee addressing the audience
From left: Sheela Devi, Imtiyaz, Prof Lim, Prof Lee, Dr Dalilah, and Prof Soo
Prof Lim introducing the speakers
Dr Dalilah presenting her talk "Colorectal Cancer: A Lifestyle Cancer"
Participants in a short activity by Dr Dalilah
Dr S. Kumar giving updates on colorectal cancer
Dr S. Kumar leading a discussion session with the audience
Dr Lim explaining the role of Chinese Medicine
Prof Soo explaining the types of bowel screening tests
Cheah elucidating the benefits of probiotics
Participants jotting down important notes
An exhibition booth by the National Cancer Institute
Colorectal cancer models
Sungai Long Medical Center delegates
Nurses from the National Cancer Institute
The backbone of the seminar, the organising committee
Breast Cancer Awareness Day
28 November 2015: [Talk]
Breast cancer is found to be the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. To raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment, a series of talks was organised during the 'Breast Cancer Awareness Day' on 28 November 2015 at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long campus. The half-day event was organised by Centre for Extension Education (CEE) in collaboration with Centre for Cancer Research (CCR), Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN) and Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA).
Participants performing breast self-examination through 'look' or visual inspection
The event started with a talk by Professor Dr. Lim Yang Mooi from the Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Prof. Lim, who is also the Chairperson of CCR, provided general information about cancer, including types of cancer, risk factors of getting cancer, cancer prevention and types of treatment. For a better understanding of the disease, Prof. Lim played a video clip on how the unregulated cancer cells work together and cause cancer. Subsequently she showed some photos of different types of cancer such as nose, eye, bone and lung cancer and highlighted the cancer causing factors to the audience. She added, "The chances of a person getting the disease is higher if he or she undergoes an extreme level of stress, lack of rest or sleep, or due to genetics". She claimed that prevention offered the most cost-effective long-term strategy to control cancer and reduce the incidence of cancer. Hence, the audience was advised to consume more healthy food like vegetables, fruits and grains, exercise for 30 to 45 minutes 5 times a week, and also have enough sleep. Cancer could be treated through four methods which are Surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Conventional medicine which aim to improve patients' quality of life. As such, there is no need to isolate oneself or be afraid of cancer. "It's your responsibility to take care of yourself!" Prof Lim said in concluding her talk.
The second session proceeded with a talk by Ms. Jayanthi Marimuthu, a lecturer from UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. She explained about Breast Self-Examination (BSE) which includes observation and palpation to detect any changes or abnormalities that may indicate the presence of malignant cancer. "Women should check their breast few days after the menstrual period and the first day of each month if they have reached menopause as it helps to detect cancer at an early stage without any cost and it could save your life," she advised. Besides that, she taught the audience how to perform BSE using two basic steps which are, 'look' or visual inspection, and 'feel'. "The abnormal findings which would be seen are lumps, bumps, or thickening, change in skin colour or texture, bloody or greenish discharge and others," she highlighted. In conclusion, she advised the audience to familiarise themselves with the abnormal changes on their breasts and to examine their breasts regularly.
Booths at the event
The final session was an introduction of Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) Malaysia by Puan Hjh. Mariyana Bt Hj Abu Bakar. According to her, the organisation functions as an agent in creating awareness on breast cancer among Malaysians. "We educate the society and provide breast cancer related social services throughout Peninsular Malaysia," she shared. The audience was encouraged to visit the BCWA booth at the event for a free check-up. Concurrently, there were also booths selling food and providing free basic medical check-ups on glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and Pap smear. One of the participants, Ms Tan John Ho said, "I gained knowledge on breast cancer and learnt some methods to prevent it."