Inaugural women in oncology forum champions leadership and mentorship in cancer care

PETALING JAYA, 26 APRIL 2026 - The inaugural Women in Oncology Forum: Giving Value, Gaining Impact, organised by Roche Malaysia, brought together women oncologists nationwide to exchange perspectives on mentorship, leadership and professional development in cancer care.

Officiated by the Minister of Health, the forum served as a platform for participants from both public and private sectors to discuss career pathways, leadership experiences and the evolving role of oncologists within Malaysia’s healthcare system.

A panel discussion moderated by Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia, featured leaders in public health and oncology: Dr. Noraryana Hassan, Director of the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia; Dr. Ros Suzanna Ahmad Bustamam, Head of the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology at Hospital Kuala Lumpur; and Dr. Mastura Md Yusof, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Head of Cancer Centre, Hospital Picaso.

The forum was also attended by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr Nor Fariza binti Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support), Ministry of Health Malaysia.

During the forum, panellists discussed factors shaping career progression in oncology, opportunities for professional growth and the role of mentorship in supporting long-term career development. They also highlighted the importance of peer networks and knowledge-sharing in strengthening collaboration within the oncology community.

“Cancer remains the third highest cause of death in Malaysia, with approximately 40,000 new cases reported each year,” said YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health Malaysia.

“Malaysia has approximately 184 oncologists - a 60 percent increase since 2019. While this reflects progress, we have yet to reach the level required to meet the growing and increasingly complex demands of cancer care.1 This is a priority for the Ministry of Health. Efforts to expand access to care include initiatives such as Cancer Care Closer to Community, a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Roche Malaysia to decentralise cancer care and deliver follow-up treatment closer to patients, particularly in underserved areas,” he said.

“Alongside this, it is equally important to support the development of healthcare professionals in the field. Platforms such as the Women in Oncology forum contribute to this by strengthening mentorship, professional exchange and collaboration within the oncology community,” he added.

“Oncology is a complex and emotionally intensive specialty that requires continuous learning, coordination and resilience,” said Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia.

“It is also a field where shared experience, professional exchange and peer support play an important role in how clinicians grow and sustain their careers. The Women in Oncology forum was established to bring oncologists together to exchange experiences, build professional connections and strengthen mentorship. By creating space for dialogue and shared learning, we aim to contribute to a more connected and supported oncology community,” she added. 

The forum marked an important step for the oncology community to reflect on current progress and future priorities. Discussions reinforced the importance of strengthening mentorship, expanding professional networks and supporting greater participation of women in leadership roles across the field.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, as well as growing capabilities in the area of data-driven medical insights help Roche deliver truly personalised healthcare. Roche is working with partners across the healthcare sector to provide the best care for each person.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. In recent years, Roche has invested in genomic profiling and real-world data partnerships and has become an industry-leading partner for medical insights.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

Roche has been present in Malaysia since 1972, when the sales and distribution of products was managed by a third party distributor. Since then, Roche has established its operations to include Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the pharmaceutical business; Roche Diagnostics (M) Sdn. Bhd., the diagnostics business and Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd. (also referred to as Roche Services & Solutions APAC). With a total staff strength of over 1,200, Roche has grown into one of the leading healthcare companies in Malaysia that provides holistic healthcare solutions to healthcare practitioners and patients. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.my

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For media enquiries, please contact:

1. Niranjni Jayabalan

   Communications Lead, Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd

   Email: [email protected]