PETALING JAYA: Aiming to resolve challenges faced by cancer patients navigating their diagnosis and treatment from multi-disciplinary departments, Hospital Picaso (PJ Integrated Centre for Advanced Surgery and Oncology) has launched its Cancer Centre to provide essential services under one roof.
Putting access to health experts and support at one centre, cancer patients would no longer need to wait weeks or travel to multiple facilities for a diagnosis or treatment.
Consultant clinical oncologist Dr Mastura Md Yusof said giving patients all-access to health experts and treatments in a centre allows them to feel fully supported throughout their journey after their cancer diagnosis.
“In many healthcare settings today, cancer patients still face the challenge of navigating between departments and facilities, visiting different doctors, undergoing scans in one location, consultations in another and receiving treatment elsewhere.
“This fragmented process can delay care, add stress and compromise outcomes. Patients can greatly benefit from these essential services under one roof, from early screenings and diagnostic imaging to specialist consultations, advanced surgery and post-treatment care.
“As an oncologist, I truly believe that patients will benefit from faster decision-making, shared clinical insights and a more seamless care journey, which can result in better experiences and improved outcomes. This one-stop seamless patient care model will set a new benchmark and reflects what modern medicine increasingly demands,” said Dr Mastura at the official opening of the centre on Thursday (April 24).
Dr Mastura highlighted that cancer remains the third leading cause of death in Malaysia, with 65.1% of cases from 2017 to 2021 detected at later stages (Stage 3 and 4).
With the lifetime risk of developing cancer now at one in eight for both men and women, access to coordinated and timely treatment is becoming increasingly vital, she added.
“These alarming statistics emphasise the urgent need for early detection and a more coordinated, integrated approach to treatment. Where one centre that not only detects cancer earlier, but also ensures patients receive timely and comprehensive care.
“That’s why our team at Hospital Picaso is proud to lead the way with the opening of the new Hospital Picaso Cancer Centre by championing a truly multidisciplinary, integrated model of care. It reflects our belief in “Advanced Surgery, Personalised Care”, where the focus of what we do revolves around each individual, ensuring that every patient feels seen, heard and empowered, with care that’s tailored to their needs and responsive to their journey,” she said.
The Cancer Centre at Hospital Picaso is equipped with a wide range of services, including early screening, precision diagnostics, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and advanced radiotherapy treatments.
It also houses a dedicated radiology and nuclear medicine department that is important for early detection and treatment planning.
Since the opening in June 2024, Dr Mastura also shared that Hospital Picaso has done around 350 robotic operations and 28 Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) cases for cancer patients.
“Currently, we have about 102 radiotherapy cases completed and 900 procedures done at chemo daycare, all within 11 months,” she said.
For more information on Hospital Picaso’s Cancer Centre, visit www.hospitalpicaso.com or https://www.facebook.com/hospitalpicaso/