Health & Living

Out of all the cancers that affect the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer is the deadliest only because it is often detected late. So how do we pick up ovarian cancer early, when the symptoms may not be obvious or not there at all? We hear from ovarian cancer patient Marina Om, and Assoc Prof Dr Nirmala Kampan, consultant gynaecological oncologist from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz who i...

Some animals might have been harmed in the following study - at the University of Hong Kong, researchers infected hamsters with SARS-CoV-2, to study the effect of COVID infection on the little rodents’ testicles. The study’s results have been reported widely by the media, but what does it actually mean for humans? We find out from consultant urologist Dr George Lee and Consultant Obstetrician &amp...

In conjunction with World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March, we are asking what inclusion means for people living with this chromosomal condition. Consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan and advisor to the Malaysian Down Syndrome Association Hanizan Hussin join us to discuss the importance of inclusive systems and attitudes, from education to training and employment. Hanizan’s 27...

Many of us think that we are bound to lose our teeth as we grow older, but is that necessarily the case? Assoc Prof Dr Jacob John from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya joins us to look closer at common oral health issues and why it’s important for us to maintain habits to look after oral health as we age, in conjunction with World Oral Health Day (20th March). Image credit: Shutterstock...

For people who struggle with obesity, weight loss is a complex process. Diet and exercise alone may not be enough for some individuals. When should you bring up bariatric surgery with your doctor, and what are the outcomes you should expect? Join consultant general surgeon Dr Cha Kar Huei, from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, as he explains different types of bariatric surgery, the risks and complicat...

Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘ Because Feelings Matter ’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. In conjunction with International Women’s Day in March,...

Two years ago, on the 18th of March, Malaysia entered into its very first lockdown, what many colloquially termed MCO1.0. Two years later, in just two weeks, Malaysia will begin its “transition into endemicity”, as announced by the Prime Minister last week. But the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been declared over, so what does that transition mean in terms of how our healthcare system continues to...

In our monthly open clinic segment, fertility specialist Dr Sumithra Devi Valiapan joins us to answer questions about having a baby - from family planning to infertility treatment. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At one point or another, most of us would’ve felt some anxiety or discomfort in a social situation or perhaps even leading up to it. It could go away after some time, or maybe you find ways to manage those feelings. But what if it gets to a point where the dread and fear is too much to handle? How would you know if what you’re experiencing is social anxiety? Clinical psychologist Lavender Tan brea...

It’s back to school for the 2022 academic year next week. Students, parents and teachers are all eagerly - and anxiously - waiting to see what the new school year has in store. Meanwhile, mental health issues among children and teenagers have come to the fore in the past two years, underscoring the challenges that young people face as they juggle studies, relationships and their own emotional ups...

Many parents are alarmed that their kids' screen time has soared during the pandemic, with online gaming and social media taking the place of other childhood experiences in lockdown. Are there irreversible effects on children, when it comes to socialisation, communication, and the risk of addiction? Can parents even do anything to dial back children’s device use? Consultant clinical psychologist D...

In 2019, mere months before a form of “viral pneumonia” was reported in Wuhan, China, a book titled ‘The Psychology of Pandemics’ was published. This remarkably prescient publication by Prof Dr Steven Taylor highlighted the importance of understanding the psychological factors of a pandemic, in order to prepare for the next global outbreak.  On the 2nd anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr...

Do Malaysians take kidney health seriously? Going by the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease over the past decades, it might not seem so. This World Kidney Day, we check in on how we’re managing cases of chronic kidney disease, whether we’re over-relying on dialysis, and ways to do better in preventing chronic kidney disease in the first place. Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Centre for Hea...

One in three women worldwide experience some form of violence in their lives, and most of this is physical, sexual or emotional abuse, either from an intimate partner or a non-partner. Physical impact aside, the abuse also causes mental and emotional trauma that is often hidden from sight, but can leave long-term scars. We hear from Mayna Patel, Senior Associate of Architects of Diversity, about w...

Breast cancer is a journey of discovery. At every stage of the disease, women discover their true strengths, reveal their resilience, and find hope for recovery. Meanwhile, new discoveries in therapies have led to better treatment that can improve the lives of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, Sew Boon Lui, a metastatic breast cancer patien...

While rare diseases are rare, there are around 10,000 different types of rare diseases and collectively this affects a large number of people. With more than 80% of these rare diseases having underlying genetic causes, it’s especially important to identify these genetic factors to tailor therapies and treatments to the people living with distinct disorders. And yet, it’s not uncommon to hear about...

With non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes skyrocketing in Malaysia, are we adequately tackling obesity as a public health issue? Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be making any meaningful progress when it comes to preventing or managing obesity, apart from shaming individuals for poor lifestyle choices. How can we implement more effective cross-sectoral policies and a whole-of-s...

When it comes to women’s health, much has been said about breast cancer, and less about another group of cancers which only affects women: gynaecological cancers. How do these cancers affect women’s sexual and reproductive health? And how have advances in robotic surgery improved outcomes for women, especially when these cancers are difficult to detect early? We find out from consultant clinical o...

What’s your idea of fun? Why is fun important to our happiness and mental wellbeing? How do we rediscover fun in our lives after two harrowing years of the pandemic? Consultant Clinical Psychologist Paul Jambunathan joins our monthly mental health clinic to talk all things fun, as well as to address your concerns regarding mental, emotional and psychosocial issues. Image credit: Shutterstock See o...

One person living with a rare disease may feel unseen and unheard, among the minority. But collectively, the voices from the community of people with rare diseases are significant, and can make a difference. In December 2021, the first-ever UN Resolution on “Addressing the Challenges of Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families” was adopted, giving visibility to the rare disease commun...

One person living with a rare disease may feel unseen and unheard, among the minority. But collectively, the voices from the community of people with rare diseases are significant, and can make a difference. In December 2021, the first-ever UN Resolution on “Addressing the Challenges of Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families” was adopted, giving visibility to the rare disease commun...

Urinary problems can be debilitating, but many people are too embarrassed to talk about it. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee joins us to answer common questions about urine, bladder, and kidney problems. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorders. However, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Is this an anomaly of the condition, or are girls with ADHD overlooked because of gender biases about typical girls’ behaviour? We ask consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan why young girls and women...

Have you had to wait weeks or months for an appointment with a specialist in the public healthcare system? Then probably have to wait hours on the day of your appointment as well? Long waiting times and the lack of specialists are problems that have long plagued our healthcare system. In the second episode of our Mind the Health Gap series, we explore how this affects patients’ access to specialis...

Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘ Because Feelings Matter ’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. In this episode, artist and writer Sanchita Islam, who...