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Innovating to Impact Early Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment for Cancer

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05 Aug 2023

5 Min Read

Taylor's Impact Lab (Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab)

IN THIS ARTICLE

The vision of Taylor’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab is to provide high quality and affordable healthcare for everyone.

 

This Impact Lab aspires to gather some of the brightest minds in healthcare and technology to collaborate, experiment and develop impactful and life-changing medical innovations. We believe that by combining the latest technologies with the most progressive medical thinking, we can tackle some of the most pressing healthcare challenges facing people today. Anyone who partners with Taylor's Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab can play a part in transforming healthcare for the greater good.

Early Disease Detection via the Cancer Innovation Project

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately 10 million deaths, or 1 in 6 deaths in 2020 (Source: World Health Organisation). In Malaysia, approximately 1 in 4 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime (Source: Cancer Research Malaysia). Due to the increasing costs of treatment, psychological and financial stress are common amongst cancer patients and their families. Such stress may cause the cancer to worsen, and spread (metastasize).

 

The high mortality rate of cancer is strongly linked to a lack of awareness that leads to late diagnosis, and hence limited choices of treatments. Almost 60% of cancer cases in Malaysia were detected at the later stages (Stage III and IV). In fact, many cancers can be treated effectively if detected early.  One of our Impact Lab’s goals is to develop effective and affordable methods for early detection of common diseases, including cancer.

Taylor's student in the lab

Initiatives and Positive Outcomes of the Cancer Innovation Project

Developing effective and affordable devices for early cancer detection and treatment

 

Regardless of their background, we believe everyone should have access to quality and affordable health care. Our lab has started collaborating with a local company to develop a novel method of cancer strain identification using a highly sensitive, portable, and rapid tester. The device can be used for large-scale population screenings at remote areas. This will benefit more people, especially those from the lower socio-economic groups.

 

In addition, we are collaborating with medical device manufacturers to further develop or enhance the safety and efficacy of some state-of-the-art cancer treatments, namely microwave ablation and laser ablation.

 

We have integrated this initiative into the School of Biomedical Science’s Final Year Project, which will allow students to complement their intellectual abilities with the practical skills required to solve real-world problems.

 

To enhance public awareness, our students will produce e-posters and videos that describe the technology in an easy-to-understand manner. These can be broadcasted through social media channels to reach wider audiences. This is a good example of how student activities can integrate knowledge, research, and advocacy to positively impact larger society.

 

 

Taylor’s 2023 – 2025 Community Health Screening Programme

 

This project aims to enhance community health awareness within the National People's Housing Project (“PPR”) population in the Klang Valley, by offering free health screening and education. PPR was chosen because this B40 community is vulnerable and has poor access to healthcare.

 

This screening programme will employ the novel method of disease biomarkers quantification using a highly sensitive, portable, and rapid tester developed through the collaboration between a local company and Taylor’s University. Upon the project’s completion, cost-effectiveness analysis of early disease detection will be conducted.

 

This programme is expected to raise awareness of the importance of community health screening. By doing so, it hopes to reduce the potential financial burden (relating to medical treatment) for the PPR population as well as improve their overall quality of life. More populations will benefit from the project’s progress in the long-term.

 

 

Innovative approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment

 

Many studies by Taylor’s University researchers have focused on finding new and efficient methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Taylor’s research includes the use of nanomedicine (silver and gold nanoparticles, nanocarbon), small peptides, extracellular vehicles, natural antioxidants, phytochemical compounds, gene therapy, and thermal ablation of tumours. The research projects are mainly supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (“FRGS”) and Prototype Research Grant Scheme (“PRGS”), MAKNA Cancer Research, Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (“MTSF”) and various industry grants.

Research output from Taylor's Impact Labs

Impact from Stakeholders’ Perspective

This highly meaningful and significant initiative impacting real populations will enable researchers at Taylor’s University to see the direct outcome of their efforts. Our students will also learn new technology relating to early diagnosis, treatments, and interventions in the dedicated modules. The project also involves collaboration with multiple industrial partners who will gain from fundamental and application-based research carried out by our academics and students to further improve their products and services. Ultimately, the PPR community will also be positively impacted by their participation in the community health screening programme.

Logo for SDG Goals 3

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all

This project is closely aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing that aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The Taylor’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab continues to seek synergies with like-minded industry partners and external experts who can work together with motivated students and dedicated academic staff at Taylor’s University to develop safe, effective and affordable methods for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common diseases for all segments of Malaysian society.

 

Contact our mentor Prof Dr Chong Pei Pei at peipei.chong@taylors.edu.my to explore how you and your organisation can work with us on similar initiatives.

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