27 July 2025, Seberang Jaya, Penang – Sunway Medical Centre Penang today celebrated the launch of the next phase of its Cancer Centre, further establishing itself as the Northern Hub for advanced and holistic cancer care. The event was officiated by His Excellency Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, alongside key leadership from Sunway Healthcare Group.

This latest phase brings together powerful advancements in oncology treatment, comprehensive support systems, and expanded facilities—designed to guide patients through every stage of their journey, from early detection to survivorship.

The Cancer Centre is now equipped with a range of cutting-edge technologies, including Tomotherapy, radiation therapy, and robotic-assisted surgery. It also features a dedicated chemotherapy bay and scalp cooling services to help minimise hair loss during treatment—enhancing both clinical care and patient comfort.

Sunway Medical Centre Penang is proud to be the leading hospital in the region with an AI-enabled, full-capability Tomotherapy system—the Tomo Radixact X9. Integrated with Synchrony®, ClearRT™, and VoLO™ Ultra, this system offers precise, real-time tumour tracking and ultra-fast planning capabilities.

The centre also supports advanced molecular imaging and diagnostics, with access to radiotracers including 18F-FDG, Ga-68 PSMA, and Ga-68 DOTATATE—empowering doctors to detect and monitor cancer with greater accuracy and sensitivity.

“This next phase allows us to deliver a truly holistic cancer care experience,” said Ms. Christine Lee, CEO of Sunway Medical Centre Penang. “Our patients are supported not just by technology, but by people—an expert team who journey with them from day one.”

At the heart of the centre is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of over 15 doctors from various specialties who meet weekly to discuss patient cases. This ensures each patient receives a treatment plan shaped by the collective expertise of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists—all aligned around a single guiding question: What is the best possible treatment for this patient?

Supporting this clinical strength is a holistic allied health team comprising clinical psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language therapists. Patients also benefit from a dedicated cancer support group and access to emerging treatments through clinical trials.

“Through this expansion, we are building a cancer centre that not only treats—but supports, restores, and empowers,” said Dr. Cheah Soon Keat, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Sunway Medical Centre Penang.

In addition, the hospital announced the establishment of a RM1 million Sunway Healthcare Cancer Fund to support underprivileged patients in receiving timely cancer care.

200 Free Low-Dose CT Scans to Promote Early Lung Cancer Detection

To coincide with the launch, Sunway Medical Centre Penang introduced a community initiative offering 200 free low-dose CT (LDCT) scans—an essential screening tool for individuals at high risk of lung cancer.

“Early detection can mean the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 4,” said Dr. Cheah Soon Keat. “By making LDCT screening accessible, we hope to improve survival outcomes and catch lung cancer before symptoms appear.”

A guided hospital tour followed, giving guests the opportunity to explore the upgraded cancer care facilities first-hand—including the dedicated chemotherapy bay, radiation therapy suites, and other key areas. Guests also had a rare, hands-on opportunity to operate the console of Sunway Medical Centre Penang’s Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, gaining insight into the precision and control of robotic-assisted surgery.

From early screening to long-term survivorship, Sunway Medical Centre Penang’s Cancer Centre continues to advance—not only in technology and expertise but through a human-centred approach rooted in empathy, collaboration, and innovation.

“To the people of Penang and Northern Malaysia—this is your centre,” said Ms. Christine Lee. “We’re not just building a hospital—we’re helping to shape a healthcare system where every patient is seen, heard, and treated with dignity. That’s the future we believe in. And that’s the future we’re working toward—one life at a time.”

For more information about Sunway Medical Centre Penang and its commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services, please visit https://www.sunwaymedicalpenang.com.my or follow us on Facebook @SunwayMedicalPenang.