Futureproofing cancer centres with talent and technology

Robotic surgery is one of the new technologies that are helping to improve cancer treatment. — 123rf.com

Cancer remains a significant health concern in Malaysia, with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) reporting over 20,000 cases yearly.

What is more alarming is the increasing number of younger Malaysians, aged between 35 and 64, receiving cancer diagnoses.

Considering this concerning trend, it is essential for medical facilities to actively participate in their local communities, raising awareness about cancer through events, collaborating with partners and hosting early screening programmes to ensure that the community receives the necessary support in their battle against cancer.

Moreover, healthcare providers across Malaysia should take the initiative to establish future-ready cancer centres, providing the required treatment for community members diagnosed with cancer.

To ensure the best possible treatment for patients in Malaysia, local cancer centres must adopt new treatment methods, like robotic-assisted surgeries, and prioritise the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals.

Looking ahead, we anticipate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) features in radiotherapy.

Currently, many oncologists still manually outline tumour volumes during adaptive radiotherapy sessions.

This involves regular imaging and adjustments to treatment plans based on changes in the patient’s tumour size, while minimising radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.

However, advancements in the field allow AI to perform this task, providing automated contouring and saving the doctor valuable time and energy.

We also envision AI playing a role in administrative duties, such as auto-reporting, and further enhancing the efficiency of our processes for the benefit of the patient.

However, establishing a future-ready cancer centre comes with its challenges.

For example, acquiring advanced technologies like robotic machines that can remove cancer cells requires significant investment.

In the meantime, the financial sustainability of investing in these technologies is influenced by reimbursement models and insurance coverage, which impact the centre’s decision to invest in such equipment.

Recruiting and retaining highly-skilled healthcare professionals poses another challenge critical to the success and quality of future-ready cancer centres.

The demand for advanced technologies and personalised medicine expertise necessitates attracting the right talent to provide optimal patient care.

Attracting and developing healthcare professionals

While competitive remuneration is important in attracting talent, it is equally essential to provide comprehensive training and ongoing development opportunities to continuously nurture and enhance their skills.

However, achieving this alone can be challenging.

That’s where collaborations come in.

Tying up with medical schools and other hospitals, whether in Malaysia or abroad, allows cancer centres to tap into their resources and expertise.

Such collaborations would enable us to meet the demands of medical education, training and research, keeping our professionals at the forefront of cancer care.

Moreover, talents who aspire to work in cancer centres are attracted to facilities prioritising investment in cutting-edge equipment.

This state-of-the-art technology supports their work and enhances their skills, enabling them to provide better care.

When it comes to managing cancer, a comprehensive approach is essential.

It encompasses various stages, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and survivorship.

Furthermore, the field of cancer research is constantly evolving, with breakthroughs and new treatment methods continuously emerging.

Doctors need to adapt to these advancements and receive training on utilising different treatments for various types of cancer.

Cancer centres need to actively participate in a wide range of clinical trials in order to achieve this.

Such clinical trials aim to deepen our understanding of cancer and develop more effective treatment strategies.

Adopting the latest tech

To ensure the best possible cancer care, cancer centres in Malaysia should invest in adopting new technologies and innovations.

A cancer centre typically consists of two crucial components: diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic equipment is essential in determining the appropriate treatment for cancer, e.g. positron emission tomography and computerised tomography (PET/CT) scans.

Let me share a case to illustrate the practical impact.

A patient initially received a cancer diagnosis through a CT scan.

Based on this diagnosis, surgery was proposed.

However, a later, better-quality PET/CT scan revealed that the cancer had spread, necessitating chemotherapy instead.

Consequently, the patient received tailored treatment according to their condition.

Ongoing cancer research continues to yield discoveries.

For instance, developing AI-modelled imaging protocols enhances lesion detection and improves the identification of small, low-contrast lesions that were previously challenging to detect (A lesion is an area of damaged tissue).

Early detection enables timely interventions and potentially better treatment outcomes.

Expanding genomic testing and molecular profiling allows for targeted therapies and precision medicine approaches.

For example, liquid biopsies – a non-invasive technique for monitoring genetic alterations in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) – provide real-time information on tumour progression and treatment response.

This helps inform treatment decisions and facilitates personalised adjustments.

By investing more in technology, particularly in screening, diagnosis and treatment, we can improve the efficiency of our operations, and ultimately, provide better care for our patients.

Tackling financial needs

Enhancing affordability and accessibility for cancer patients in Malaysia is crucial for the future readiness of cancer centres.

A major reason for this is the physical, mental and financial stress caused when diagnosed with cancer.

Minimising that stress for patients and their family members during the treatment journey is crucial.

While our treatment and support help with the physical and mental stress of cancer, we are also looking at ways to expand access to quality care for all individuals, regardless of their financial circumstances.

This can be in the form of a trust fund that helps subsidise patient fees for those who need it, as well as funding free cancer screening programmes.

Furthermore, we can effectively manage the increasing demand for timely and comprehensive care by addressing the rising cancer burden and promoting preventive measures, such as cancer screenings.

To ensure long-term preparedness, Malaysian cancer centres should take further steps to ensure that all patients receive proper and efficient treatment.

Fortunately, advancements in research findings and technologies have led to a higher cancer survival rate than in previous years.

This progress instils hope that in the future, we can further reduce the death rate and improve outcomes for cancer patients.

Dr Heng Siew Ping is a medical physicist and general manager of Sunway Cancer Centre. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.