The motivation for establishing this program in Malaysia comes from our commitment and passion to provide as much support as possible to women battling cancer. We want to empower women during their cancer journey with better awareness of treatment options and to ensure they can access the support needed to live well through cancer treatment and beyond.
Icon Women’s Cancer Program
Curated for women by women who understand the unique concerns of women during their cancer journey.
Women’s Cancer in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the proportion of women being diagnosed with cancer is higher than men at 55.3%. There is an average of 35 women diagnosed with cancer each day1 The most common cancer for Malaysian women is breast cancer (34.1%), followed by colorectal (11.1%), cervical (6.2%), lung (5.9%), ovarian (5.6%) and uterine cancer (4.6%). 2
The incidence of cancer for women has increased from 2012 – 2016 as compared to 2007 – 2011. Cancer tends to affect females from 25 to 64 years old and the lifetime risk of developing cancer is 1 out of every 9 females in Malaysia.
“With the growing incidence of cancer among women, we are inspired to work with women on the myriad of concerns and challenges they encounter. Recognising the importance of tailored care, we’re dedicated to delivering personalised support that caters to their individual needs.”
Dr. Ooi Kai Yun
Program Director and Consultant in Clinical Oncology
About Icon Women’s Cancer Program
With the patient at the heart of everything we do, we have developed a holistic and customised program from the first consultation through to diagnosis, treatment and post-cancer care addressing the unique concerns that a woman has based on the diverse roles they take at different stages of their life.
Whether navigating life as a single woman, a wife, a mother, or a caregiver to elderly parents, we recognise the many considerations that impact cancer treatment decisions. For this reason, we have designed a personalised and holistic approach to treatment, aiming for optimal outcomes and enhancing quality of life for these unique women throughout their cancer journey.
We strive to provide a supportive environment where women can freely pose questions about their cancer journey without hesitation. We understand the importance of fostering a safe haven for open dialogue and aim to alleviate any concerns or embarrassment that may arise.
Icon Women’s Cancer Program Icon Women’s Cancer Program
1) Diagnosis and Treatment
- During consultation, our female oncologist will go through a detailed checklist to diagnose and address any concerns unique to women.
- If surgery is needed, we have a wide network of surgeons who we work closely with to ensure seamless and multidisciplinary care.
2) Fertility Counselling and Preservation
- For women with no children, fertility preservation may be one of the concerns if they wish to have children in the future.
- We have established a network of fertility consultants who are available to offer guidance and support to our patients with this concern.
3) Genetic Testing and Counselling
- During cancer treatment, patients may grapple with concerns about the hereditary nature of their condition and its potential impact on future family planning.
- As part of our holistic approach, a comprehensive genetic counselling and testing process is in place.
- For more information, please visit https://www.icononcology.com.my/en/womens-cancer-program/genetic-counselling/
4) Psychosocial Support
- At Icon, we offer comprehensive psychosocial support through our strong network of partners ranging from concerns surrounding women’s body image, femininity, sexuality and mental wellness.
- In addition, depending on one’s stage, a woman may be worried about returning to work when her treatment is over and may need advice on resume writing or interview skills.
- For women in caregiving roles, we understand there may be concerns around caring for children or elderly parents.
- At Icon, we understand these concerns and have a network of partners as well as fellow patients who we can refer you to for more support should you require them.
5) Financial Counselling
We understand that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a stressfultime. We will work with you to go through all aspects of your treatment plan and its cost estimates. We have also partnered with major insurance firms to make cancer care more accessible.
6) Nutritional Advice
Diet is an important part of Asian culture and many online dietary resources are catered towards western diet. With this in mind, we have collaborated with dieticians and nutritionists who will be part of your care every step of the way.
7) Long-term Survivorship
With over 30 years of experience in cancer care, we understand that some patients may still feel emotional or at a loss after their treatment. We have in place programs to help you get back on your feet.
8) Palliative Care
Palliative care aims to provide people with the best possible quality of life, allowing them to live as comfortably as possible while living with a life-limiting illness.
At Icon, we walk with patients through every step of the cancer journey and believe palliative medicine is an important part of providing a comprehensive approach to care. We provide a holistic approach to palliative care based on the individual needs of patients and their families, which includes relief of pain and symptoms, nutritional support, home nursing care and end-of-life care and planning.
Our Doctor
Dr. Ooi Kai Yun
MBBS (UM, Malaysia), FRCR (UK)
“I am deeply committed to providing the best possible care for my patients and supporting them throughout their cancer journey by providing personalised and tailored treatment options.”
Dr. Ooi Kai Yun is the Program Director of Icon Women’s Cancer Program in Malaysia and an experienced clinical oncologist who treats all cancer types. Dr Ooi has a special clinical interest in colorectal, lung, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary cancers in addition to women’s cancer such as breast, cervical and uterine cancer.
References
- Laporan Tahuhan 2020 https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/Penerbitan%20Utama/4._Health_Facts_2023-compressed_.pdf
- Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report 2012 – 2016