Reversing cancer
Cancer Research Malaysia is a non-profit medical research organisation working to reverse cancer in as many ways as we can. In the world of cancer research, there isnโt enough focus on Asian genetics and the cancers more common here. First established as Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation by Tan Sri Tunku Ahmad Yahaya and Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, we changed our name to Cancer Research Malaysia in 2015 to reflect that we are no longer just an initiative, but we are here to ensure that the fight against cancer doesn't miss Asians, especially Malaysians.
Our laboratory was established in Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Jan 2001. With just a temporary laboratory of 700 sq ft and only 6 scientists, the first months were focused on establishing collaborations to begin Malaysian cancer research. Today, we are a 50-plus strong team of researchers. At the core is a series of programmes based upon areas of strategic importance to Malaysian cancer research: focusing on cancers which are more common in Asians and understudied (such as oral and nasopharyngeal cancer), focusing on finding ways to reduce the burden of common cancers such as breast cancer, focusing on genetic and environmental risk factors in Asians, and focusing on bringing cures to Malaysians sooner.