KUCHING: Dr Melissa Lim Siaw Han, a member of Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN), has been selected as one of 10 individuals worldwide in the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Young Leaders Programme at the World Cancer Leaders Summit held virtually recently.
In a statement on Thursday (Oct 28), SCAN said Dr Lim had been a pharmacist with the Ministry of Health (MoH) since May 2009 and had experience in both management and clinical pharmacist roles.
She obtained her PhD in Medical Science majoring in biopathological sciences focusing on cancer theranostics.
She has been actively working with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia and is one of the founding members of SCAN as well as a member of the Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (SBCSG) and New Century Lions Club of Kuching Emerald.
Her areas of interest involve not only cancer research but also cancer awareness services in the community, especially rural cancer awareness and care.
When asked about her goals for this programme, Dr Lim said it was her hope that she could share her experience in disseminating cancer awareness locally in Sarawak and at the same time to apply what she will learn for the benefit of Sarawak through cancer awareness and advocacy.
The Summit is held in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
UICC, based in Geneva, unites and supports the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote greater equity, and to ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda.
During the opening of the summit, UICC chief executive officer Cary Adams announced the names of the 10 individuals who had been selected as part of this year’s programme.
Through the year-long programme, UICC will facilitate opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, networking and connecting with experienced leaders, and the chance to engage and participate in recognised international events.
UICC aims to nurture aspiring young cancer control professionals to become successful leaders in cancer control and the wider global health community.
