Cancer Topics – ICC Program Malaysia

Providing high-quality cancer care to patients is the goal for any oncologist, yet there are many places across the globe that face multiple hurdles in achieving that goal. In this ASCO Education podcast we explore how one group is making a positive impact in the state of Surawak in Malaysia via the efforts of ASCO’s International Cancer Corp Program (ICC).  Dr. Roselle de Guzman, past chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Council of ASCO, Dr Voon Pei Jaye medical oncologist and onsite director of the ICC Program at Sarawak and Dr. Evangelia D. Razis medical oncologist focused on neuro-oncology from Athens, Greece and ASCO volunteer of the ICC Malaysia Program describe the benefits of implementing the efforts of Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) (3:38), the challenges in providing quality cancer care in Sarawak (8:31) and details on how to volunteer for the ICC program (19:45). 

Speaker Disclosures Dr. Roselle de Guzman:  Honoraria - Roche Oncology (Philippines); AstraZeneca; Merck Serono, MSD Oncology Recipient, Boehringer Ingelheim, Zuellig Pharma Consulting or Advisory Role - Roche Recipient, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Zuellig Pharma (ZP) Therapeutics, Eisai Recipient, MSD Oncology Research Funding - Centus Biotherapeutics Travel, Accommodations, Expenses - Hospira (Philippines), Roche (Philippines), Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eisai, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Pfizer Dr. Evangelia D. Razis: Honoraria Company - Servier pharmaceuticals. ESMO Research Funding – Tesaro, IQvia, AstraZeneca, Exelixis, PPD Global, MSD Travel, Accommodations, Expenses - Genesis Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Pfizer, Karyo Dr. Pei Jye Voon: Research Funding - Novartis Recipient, Boehringer Ingelheim, Viracta Therapeutics Inc,  ROCHE, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp & Dohme, BeiGene, AstraZeneca, Janssen-Cilag, Johnson & Johnson Resources  If you liked this episode, please follow the show. To explore other educational content, including courses, visit education.asco.org. Contact us at education@asco.org.

TRANSCRIPT

Disclosures for this podcast are listed in the podcast page. 

Dr. Roselle De Guzman: Providing high-quality cancer care to patients is the goal for any oncologist, yet there are many places across the globe that face multiple hurdles in achieving that goal. One such location has limited trained personnel, financial constraints, geographical challenges, and limited access to healthcare service in rural areas. The location, the state of Sarawak, located in the eastern part of Malaysia. The population is almost evenly split between urban and rural areas, which are the most dispersed in Malaysia. 

The major challenge in Sarawak is the inadequate connectivity in the rural area and limited access to healthcare service. To address these issues, in 2020, a collaboration was formed between Sarawak General Hospital, University of Malaysia Sarawak and ASCO through ASCO's International Cancer Corp Program, or ICC for short. The ICC program is focused on three basic goals: incorporating a multidisciplinary approach into cancer care, integration of palliative care into oncology care, and quality improvement through ASCO's Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, or COPI program. This podcast will spotlight all the planning, activities, and results thus far of the ASCO ICC program in Malaysia.

Hello, I'm Dr. Roselle de Guzman, past chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Council of ASCO. I am pleased to spotlight one of ASCO's collaborations with a lower-resource country to improve the quality of cancer care through a multifaceted approach. This year, we are focusing on Malaysia, where, through the ICC program, ASCO has been providing training in multidisciplinary care, palliative care, and quality measurement. Joining us later in the podcast will be medica