The Health | April, 2019
04
Current News
Malaysia am
and Malaysia will
Briefs
Merck and Pfizer announce
discontinuation of drug trial for
advanced ovarian cancer
This year’s World Cancer Day
empowers us to do something for
the fight against cancer
T
he world celebrates World Cancer Day on
the February 4 every year. The Malaysian
World Cancer Day 2019 Campaign is
launched recently at the Straits Quay Mall,
Pulau Pinang. This year’s celebration is led
by the Ministry of Health Malaysia as well
as Malaysian Oncological Society, with the Academy of
Medicine Malaysia, National Cancer Society Malaysia
and Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kendiri Wanita dan
Gadis (WOMEN:girls), with the support of various other
partners including cancer-related NGOs.
This year, the Union for International Cancer Control
(UICC) has introduced a theme which will be used for the
next three years, which is: ‘I Am and I Will’.
This theme empowers individuals to voice their
respective commitment in taking action to overcome
cancer. Every Malaysian has the power to reduce the
effects of cancer for themselves, their beloved ones and
communities.
Currently, cancer is the second highest cause of death
among Malaysians. The three most common cancers
among men in Malaysia were colorectal, lung and naso-
pharynx, whereas the three most common cancers among
women were breast, colorectal and cervix. This is expected
to increase in the near future, attributable to the high
prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) risk
factors and an aging population.
It is estimated that around 40 percent of cancers are
preventable. Current recommendations include chang-
ing dietary patterns, stop smoking, increasing physical
activity, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining
a healthy body weight and vaccination against certain
infection-related cancers.
Our living environment plays a major role in
influencing positive habits. Many factors, such as the
availability of different foods, the accessibility of physical
environments for active living and availability of smoke-
free environments must also be addressed to achieve
behavioural change. Achieving healthy diet, sustained
physical activity and tobacco-free environment requires
integrated action from all sectors of society.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia and the Malaysian
Oncological Society are committed to continually raise
awareness of Malaysians on the importance of healthy
habits to prevent cancers and other related NCDs. They
are also committed on increasing the awareness and
knowledge on the importance of cancer screening and
recognising the early signs and symptoms of cancer. They
need to dispel myths, false information and misunder-
standing among Malaysians who are reluctant to undergo
screening or choose to delay early treatment.
It is the responsibility of each and every one of us
to play their part to reduce the burden of cancer in the
country. The time is now to make a personal commitment
to fight cancer. — The health
Fun run against cancer
W
orld Cancer Day Fun Run
2019 is a marathon that
is held on a grand scale in
association to World Cancer Day
at the National Cancer Institute
in Putrajaya. This Fun Run is a
recommendation made between
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
and Putrajaya-Selangor Health and
Fitness Association, in collabora-
tion with Majlis Kanser Nasional
(MAKNA), National Cancer Society
Malaysia (NCSM) and Breast Cancer
Welfare Association (BCWA), and
supported by other private sectors.
The Fun Run is a 5km long run along
the Putrajaya Lake.
This activity is the highlight of
World Cancer Day celebrated on
the February 4 this year. There were
many events held regarding cancer by
many organizations throughout the
months of February and March 2019,
themed, ‘I Am and I Will’. This theme
empowers individuals to voice their
respective commitment in taking
action to overcome cancer. Every
Malaysian has the power to reduce
the effects of cancer for themselves,
their beloved ones and communities.
Currently, cancer is the second
highest cause of death among Malay-
sians. This is expected to increase in
the near future, attributable to the
Datuk Seri
Dr Dzulkefly
Ahmad
during his
speech after
the World
Cancer Day
Fun Run 2019.
Contestants celebrating their finish of the run at the finish line.
high prevalence of Non-Communi-
cable Diseases (NCDs) risk factors as
well as the aging population.
The organizing of the World Cancer
Day Fun Run 2019 is an opportunity
to begin integrated steps, pledge and
come up with a proactive approach
in inspiring the public to cultivate
the interest of living and practicing
a healthy lifestyle through physical
activities. This activity was organized
in hopes that it would raise the aware-
ness and increase knowledge and
understanding among Malaysians
on the importance of healthy habits
to prevent cancers and other related
NCDs in an effective manner.
This morning, a minimum of 2000
participants took part in this mara-
thon. Among them were 200 cancer
fighters along with their families.
Besides that, there were other activi-
ties held to enliven the marathon
event, such as, a health exhibition,
health screenings including cancer
screening, aerobics exercises and
Zumba, colouring contests for the
children as well as a lucky draw
session.
We should work together, hand
in hand, to take action in order to
increase awareness and knowledge
about the importance of cancer
prevention through a healthy life-
style, going through frequent health
screenings and recognizing the signs
and symptoms of early stage cancer.
— The health
Merck and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE)
announced the discontinuation of the ongoing
Phase III JAVELIN Ovarian PARP 100 study
evaluating the efficacy and safety of avelumab
in combination with chemotherapy followed
by maintenance therapy of avelumab in
combination with talazoparib, a poly (ADP-
ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, versus
an active comparator in treatment-naïve
patients with locally advanced or metastatic
ovarian cancer (Stage III or Stage IV). The
alliance has notified health authorities and trial
investigators of the decision to discontinue the
trial.
The decision was based on several
emerging factors since the trial’s initiation,
including the previously announced interim
results from JAVELIN Ovarian 100. The alliance
determined that the degree of benefit observed
with avelumab in frontline ovarian cancer in
that study does not support continuation of
the JAVELIN Ovarian PARP 100 trial in an
unselected patient population and emphasizes
the need to better understand the role of
immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. Additional
factors include the rapidly changing treatment
landscape and the approval of a PARP inhibitor
in the frontline maintenance setting. The
decision to discontinue the JAVELIN Ovarian
PARP 100 trial was not made for safety reasons.
The alliance between Merck and Pfizer
was the first to test an immunotherapy in this
indication, given the significant unmet need in
the treatment of ovarian cancer. Four out of five
women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with
disease that has spread to the lymph nodes or
to distant organs. Most women with advanced
ovarian cancer ultimately die within five years
due to refractory, resistant or recurrent disease.
Varian and Tata Trusts Sign
Framework Agreement
for Advanced Cancer Care
Solutions
With an estimated 1.8 million new cancer
cases a year in India expected by 2025, Tata
Trusts and Varian (NYSE: VAR) announced the
signing of a framework agreement intended to
increase patient access to advanced radiation
therapy treatments in the country. The three-
year agreement is focused on world-class
cancer care delivery through the installation
of radiation therapy treatment systems across
India where Varian has been selected as the
preferred supplier by Tata Trusts.
The agreement is part of a program
undertaken by Tata Trusts with the goal of
creating patient-centric cancer institutions to
deliver standardized and affordable care closer
to patients’ homes in different regions in India,
including rural areas where many patients
do not have the financial means to access
existing care options. Included in the scope of
the agreement, is the creation of a significant
number of new cancer centers, as well as the
installation of advanced radiotherapy equipment
in already existing centers in these areas.
At its culmination, the program is targeted to
bring world-class cancer care to an estimated
quarter million patients per year that previously
did not have easy or affordable access to
treatment options.
In addition to the installation of the radiation
therapy treatment systems, the Varian ARIA®
oncology information system and Eclipse™
treatment planning system will be implemented
in a secure network hosted on a private cloud,
to assist in elevating the level of care across
India. The first systems are estimated to begin
installation later in 2019. — The Health