More than 700 individuals convened at Malaysia’s sole National Breast Cancer Summit in a landmark event that sought to transform breast cancer care across the nation.

Held on 9th and 10th August 2025 at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Breast Cancer Summit 2025 (MBCS25) united patients, survivors, healthcare professionals, advocates, industry representatives and medical corporations under the compelling theme “Stronger, Together.” PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) was also invited to attend.

This gathering was not merely symbolic but a powerful catalyst for change, reflecting the urgent need to improve access to care, insurance coverage and comprehensive post-treatment support for women battling breast cancer.

The summit was orchestrated by TalkHealthAsia.com, a platform for patient advocacy and health empowerment. The event’s design was innovative, blending the latest medical expertise with deeply personal experiences of those living with breast cancer. Its goal was clear: drive more equitable and effective breast cancer care outcomes nationwide.

The programme was thoughtfully segmented into four key streams. First, a Patient-Survivor Programme equipped women with practical information and tools to navigate their journey from diagnosis to long-term survivorship. Second, a Healthcare Professional Development Programme provided essential up-skilling for doctors throughout Malaysia, ensuring they remain at the forefront of emerging treatment strategies. Third, a Wellness Programme focused on holistic health — mental, physical and emotional — recognising the multi-dimensional challenges faced by patients. Finally, in collaboration with the pharmaceutical giant Roche, a Patient Navigation Programme trained patient navigators with psychosocial support techniques to better guide women through their treatment and recovery.

More than 20 renowned specialists lent their expertise to the summit. Among them were Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Yip Cheng-Har, known for his surgical expertise; Dr Mastura Md Yusof, a leading clinical oncologist; Dr Ng Char Hong and Dr Premitha Damodaran, both respected authorities in their fields. Their participation underscored the event’s high calibre and reinforced its credibility.

The summit’s opening remarks highlighted the collective responsibility shared by all stakeholders involved in breast cancer care. Lim Po Lin, Founder and CEO of TalkHealthAsia, emphasised that each attendee — whether nurse, researcher, policymaker, doctor or patient — plays an indispensable role in improving care standards. This message of unity resonated deeply throughout the event.

Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Tunku Sara Tunku Ahmad Yahaya delivered a keynote address that combined professional insight with poignant personal reflection. A breast cancer survivor and an Orthopaedic Surgeon by training, she spoke candidly about the crucial role friendship and community support played during her treatment journey. Her metaphor of losing an arm if not for the solidarity of friends captured the summit’s theme perfectly: survival is not a solitary endeavour but a shared one.

In a significant move to foster future readiness, TalkHealthAsia partnered with Pfizer to provide over 100 trainees from diverse regions including Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak access to advanced training. The focus on emerging healthcare professionals recognises that sustainable improvements hinge upon equipping the next generation with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. The programme earned endorsements from prestigious bodies such as the Malaysian Medical Association Wilayah Persekutuan, the College of Surgeons Academy of Medicine Malaysia and the Malaysian Oncological Society.

MBCS25 also created a vibrant space where women supporting women took centre stage. Groups such as the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia, Pink Unity, Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru, BELove Cancer Society and Pink Light joined forces to represent diverse states, languages and lived experiences. Their presence underscored the importance of peer support networks in empowering patients emotionally and practically.

Dr Kiley Loh Wei-Jen, a Breast Medical Oncologist and Chair of Partnerships and Advocacy at MBCS25, voiced a common frustration: many women miss out on optimal care due to social factors beyond their control. She stressed that breast cancer’s complexity demands tailored approaches and that empowering women through knowledge and community support is essential for demanding high-quality treatment.

Perhaps one of the summit’s most striking and impactful contributions was the unveiling of new data from TalkHealthAsia’s Pink Study — a nationwide survey capturing the real experiences of over 370 Malaysian women facing breast cancer. The findings illuminated persistent gaps in communication between patients and providers, inadequate post-treatment care pathways and limited access to newer therapies.

A particularly pressing issue is Malaysia’s Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for breast cancer which have not been updated since 2019. This means newer treatments developed after that date are not yet reflected in official protocols. Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Yip Cheng-Har called for urgent revision of these guidelines to ensure patients benefit from contemporary advancements in therapy.

Insurance coverage emerged as another critical challenge. Although 68.4% of respondents reported having private insurance, many encountered claim denials, uncovered expenses or delays in reimbursement. Professor Dr Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy highlighted how cancer treatment often forces families into financial hardship far exceeding their income levels. The burden extends beyond hospital bills to ongoing costs associated with recovery and daily living adjustments.

Dr Mastura Md Yusof echoed concerns about outdated insurance policies failing to cover newer targeted oral therapies that could reduce suffering and cost burdens for patients. She emphasised that no one should feel blamed for developing cancer or penalised by insurance systems that lag behind medical progress.

Beyond medical treatment itself lies a complex web of emotional and practical difficulties. Dr Muhammad Azrif bin Ahmad Annuar stressed the importance of multidisciplinary approaches for young doctors learning to manage not only clinical symptoms but also physical rehabilitation, psychological health and social reintegration for survivors.

The Pink Study revealed more than 70% of respondents expressed unmet needs for psychosocial and emotional support — a glaring gap that translates into daily struggles faced by Malaysian women. Lim Po Lin reminded attendees that these statistics are not abstract figures but reflect real lives impacted by systemic shortfalls.

MBCS25 demonstrated that when every voice is heard — from policymakers shaping national strategies to patients sharing their stories — meaningful change becomes achievable. The summit set a bold precedent for collaboration across public institutions, private sector players and community organisations.

Malaysia’s breast cancer community is now united more than ever in pushing forward reforms that will enhance care delivery at every stage: early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and long-term wellness. As this momentum grows, there is hope that future summits will mark further milestones in closing gaps in access and treatment quality.

This powerful gathering was more than an event; it was a call to action. With over 700 people committed to progress under one roof, Malaysia took a significant step towards reshaping breast cancer care — stronger together.