BFM :: Health & Living

What does it mean to live an authentic life? Why does it bother us when we think that someone is not being authentic or genuine? We ask consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan to explain how to find your authentic self, and why it matters to your mental well-being.Image credit: Shutterstock

Refugees are often at higher risk of developing mental health issues, because of the often traumatic experiences they've had fleeing their home country. But their struggles don't end once they make it to a host country, especially as we see rising xenophobia and policies that aren't friendly to refugees, as we've seen here in Malaysia. So how do all of these circumstances impact their mental health? And what can be done to help refugee communities here? Joining us is Sarah Ann Chou, clinical psychologist and mental health activity manager with MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders. She's here to share more about that and the work that MSF is doing to provide psychosocial support to refugee communities here.Image credit: Steven Ooi / MSF

Are you bothered by headaches, and worried about whether their frequency is cause for concern? Or do migraines significantly disrupt your quality of life and ability to function? On this episode of Ask A Doctor, you can delve into headaches and migraines with Dr Julia Shahnaz Merican, Consultant Neurologist.Image credit: Shutterstock

Being diagnosed with cancer will never be an easy journey. But a lot has changed in the landscape of cancer care. Today, a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have more hope for her recovery, with access to better treatment and care. With the focus now trained on survivorship, conversations are also turning to how we can support cancer patients in returning to normal lives, resuming work, and enjoying purposeful, daily activities. Enter: exercise and physical activity. We hear more about a specific programme tailored for ovarian cancer survivors, from Imelda Yong, Programme Director & Co-founder of Breakfree Movement, while Iren Lau, Group Lead of Ovarian Cancer Malaysia, and Prof Dr Woo Yin Ling, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, share personal and professional perspectives of living well with ovarian cancer.Image credit: Breakfree Movement

What we know of cholesterol comes from sensational headlines about eggs and santan, or the bewildering numbers that appear on a lab report from a screening test. For many, cholesterol remains an abstract concept—until it becomes a personal one. Sharaad Kuttan, BFM presenter, who recently underwent a cholesterol test, shares his journey of discovering high cholesterol and how he's facing his diagnosis. Alongside, consultant cardiologist Dr Muhammad Dzafir Ismail from KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital highlights the role of statins and advanced therapies in managing high cholesterol, and addresses some of the fears and misconceptions associated with cholesterol treatment. This interview is part of Unblocked, a movement for heart health by Novartis.

In 2023, pneumonia overtook ischaemic heart disease as the number one cause of death in Malaysia, ranking highest among older adults above the age of 60. We find out why pneumonia became so deadly last year, and what public health measures are important to ensure this trend does not continue. Prof Dr Ahmad Izuanuddin Ismail, President of the Malaysian Thoracic Society, and Dr Mohd Arif Mohd Zim, Consultant Respiratory Physician, join us for this discussion.Image credit: Shutterstock

Your liver's biggest role is to remove toxins from your blood, but what happens when that function is impaired by cancer? Consultant general and hepatobiliary surgeon Dr Balraj Singh from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur joins us to share more about liver cancer and how it impacts liver function. He'll also be talking about early detection of liver cancer and advances in treatment.

We all carry it – unresolved hurts, past traumas, and emotional wounds that shape how we see the world and ourselves. But what happens when this emotional baggage begins to weigh us down? On Counsellor's Corner, Lakshumy Kumar is here to help you recognise the signs of unaddressed emotional baggage, its impact on your mental health, and how to unpack it.Image credit: Shutterstock

In Malaysia, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and the risk tends to rise with age. However, breast cancer is not one single homogenous disease - there are different subtypes, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) being the most aggressive subtype. We dive into the diagnosis of TNBC with Dr Tan Chih Kiang, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, and Dr Ng Char Hong, Consultant Breast & Breast Reconstructive Surgeon.Image credit: Shutterstock

What is it like being the person who looks after people's hearts? On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, consultant cardiologist Dr Raja Ezman Faridz Raja Shariff tells us more about the work of a cardiologist, how this specialty serves the needs of the community today, and whether his own heart skips a beat when dealing with difficult cases.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has made significant strides in recent decades, expanding the possibilities for individuals and couples experiencing infertility or other reproductive challenges. While ART continues to offer hope to those facing infertility, there is a constant balance to be maintained between scientific progress and ethical considerations, including ensuring accessibility of treatments for all. Prof Dr Arthur Chang, Professor of OB/GYN from the University of Texas Health Science Centre, explores some of the cutting-edge innovations and advancements in ART that he specialises in, including research into artificial embryos, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).Image credit: Shutterstock

Rheumatological disorders are a broad category of diseases caused by inflammation in the joints and connective tissues.Together with consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh, we explore what gives rise to these conditions, and why it's important to understand the inflammatory process in managing these diseases.Image credit: Shutterstock

Currently more than 1.5 billion people worldwide live with hearing loss. For some of these people, hearing aids may improve their hearing, so that they can still listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. But hearing aids aren't devices that you can just purchase online or over-the-counter, and expect miraculous results. Audiologist Ngiow Jen Sen joins us to explain the various hearing aids available, and why personalised adjustment is important. Find a registered audiologist from the Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing, or the Malaysian National Society of Audiologists, and check if the hearing aid you purchased is a registered medical device on the Medical Device Authority Register. You can also apply for financial assistance for hearing aids from MARCHES.Image credit: Shutterstock

What does genetic testing have to do with breast cancer? What can a genetic test tell you, and does every woman need it in order to know her risk of developing breast cancer? We unpack these questions with Yoon Sook Yee, Head of Genetic Counselling, and Dr Low Ley Hian, Head of Business Development, from Cancer Research Malaysia's newly-established genetic testing services, GENETIX.Image credit: Shutterstock

The word ‘menopause' conjures up images of greying, elderly women, while menopause hormone therapy (MHT) continues to be the bogeyman that frightens women with notions of cancer and stroke. Recognising this, the theme of World Menopause Day this year (observed on 18 October) was ‘Menopause Hormone Therapy'. In this conversation with Dr Ho Choon Moy, President of the Malaysian Menopause Society, we dive into the controversies, myths and facts of MHT.Image credit: Shutterstock

Although we pride ourselves on being a society that is filial and respectful to the elderly, we also embrace a lot of age-related biases against older adults. When these ageist attitudes are practised in the healthcare system, it can affect the quality of care provided to older adults. We'll discuss the subtle and overt ways in which ageism manifests, from healthcare professionals' attitudes to systemic barriers that limit access to treatments and services. Joining this discussion are Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, President, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society; Professor Nathan Vytialingam, Honorary Fellow, World Federation of Occupational Therapists; and K. Siladass, Advisor, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society.

Asyraf has struggled with eczema since he was in preschool, growing up with the constant skin redness, persistent itching, and unpredictable flare-ups. Now 18, Asyraf is feeling hopeful for the first time, as he is receiving advanced therapy to control his eczema. On this episode of NCD Chronicles, he shares about the challenges he faced as a child and teenager with eczema, while consultant dermatologist Dato' Dr Noor Zalmy Azizan delves into how the itch associated with eczema isn't just merely an allergic reaction. We also explore eczema management strategies, from moisturisers to biologics. Find out how the Malaysian Skin Foundation can provide financial assistance for advanced therapies.NCD Chronicles is a series about people living with NCDs, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the disease, in our response to the NCD epidemic.Image credit: Shutterstock

The COVID-19 pandemic might feel like a distant dream, but the possibility of humankind facing another pandemic is very real. But are countries prepared for that possibility? How are countries in the region surveilling for the pathogen that could cause the next pandemic? We speak to Prof Dr Paul Michael Pronyk, Director of the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, to help us understand why genomic surveillance matters for outbreak preparedness, and how prepared are countries in South and Southeast Asia for the next one.Image credit: Shutterstock

In October, twelve-year-old Izz Imil made news headlines when he became the youngest student to enrol at Universiti Malaya, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. People love stories of child prodigies, whether they're excelling in academic studies, sports, or arts and entertainment. But children who are gifted face challenges when it comes to fitting in with the rest of society, or meeting the expectations of conventional education systems. Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician, and Tan Cheng Yi, Educational Psychologist, join us to explore the spectrum of abilities that gifted children have, including twice-exceptional children.Image credit: Shutterstock

About 15 years ago, Herman Jorgensen seemed to be winning at life, so why was he also having panic attacks, feeling a sense of emptiness, turning to alcohol, and becoming more passive at work? In this episode of Because Feelings Matter, Herman, who is now managing director at a multinational company in Malaysia, reflects on his past mental health struggles and how he is using his own experience to institute more empathetic workplace mental health practices within his organisation. This episode is focused on work-related mental health issues, in conjunction with the theme of World Mental Health Day 2024, ‘Mental Health at Work'.Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter' is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well.Image credit: Shutterstock (background)

On this month's Ask A Doctor, it's all about getting your body moving! Whether you're still figuring out what exercise works best for you, or hitting the gym every day, consultant sports medicine physician Dr Arvin Raj is here to answer all your questions about exercise and fitness, and how to get back into it.Image credit: Shutterstock

What did Budget 2025 deliver for Malaysia's healthcare needs? For an analysis of the healthcare allocations in next year's budget, we have Dr Muralli Munisamy, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and Dr Amjad Rabi, a social and human security economist. We'll also be taking a look at the longer-term reforms needed for health financing, beyond the annual national budgeting cycle.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock

Dr Eliezer Masliah is a well-known neuroscientist in his field, having carried out and led research of neurological conditions over the past few decades with around 800 research papers to his name. He was most recently head of the Division of Neuroscience at the National Institute of Aging in the United States, until he was removed from that position last month on allegations of research misconduct. With his work having been influential in the works of other scientists, particularly in developing treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, these allegations could have significant impact on not just the scientific community but for the treatment of these diseases as well. Here to break this down for us on this episode of Brain Waves, is neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar.Image credit: Shutterstock

From burnout to brain drain, the wellbeing and future of our healthcare workers has been a long-standing issue that continues to plague our public healthcare system. What will it take to prioritise the future of our healthcare workers ahead of Budget 2025 and is it just about financial allocations? Here to dive into that and share what's on their budget wishlist, are Dr Timothy Cheng, Chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association's Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists, as well as Lim Jack Shen, General Secretary of the Malaysian Pharmacists' Society.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock

In conjunction with World Mental Health Day in October, we explore a broader perspective to mental health, challenging the notion that mental healthcare is limited to services provided within the health system. Special guest Dr Ahmed Hankir, psychiatrist with the NHS and recipient of the WHO Director-General's Global Health Leaders Award 2022, joins Ellisha Othman, Managing Director of Thrive Well, to explore how a trauma-informed approach in social services can improve inclusion, diversity and mental health on a daily basis, and how Dr Hankir uses his experience as a wounded healer to fight the stigma against mental health. Dr Hankir is also the author of the recently published ‘Breakthrough: A Story of Hope, Resilience and Mental Health Recovery', and will be speaking at the International Stigma Conference 2024 in KL from 23-24 November, organised by MIASA Malaysia.Image credit: Shutterstock

Health Minister Dato' Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has said that within the next four to five years, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce a “One Person, One Record” system that is accessible across both government and private health facilities. What should this system look like and what lessons can we learn from previous attempts of digitalising parts of our public healthcare system? Joining us to discuss these questions and what kind of investment is needed for digitalisation ahead of Budget 2025, are Dr Rachel Gong, deputy director of research and Ilyana Syafiqa Mukhris Mudaris, research associate, both from Khazanah Research Institute.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Shutterstock

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis pose a lifelong burden for people diagnosed with these conditions. Access to advanced treatment like biologics can be limited due to the cost of these medications. Dr Benjamin Cheah, President of the Arthritis Foundation Malaysia, and Dominic Wong from the Psoriasis Association of Malaysia, join the show to tell us why their associations are asking for RM20mil in Budget 2025.Image credit: Shutterstock

Recently, the Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad proposed expanding “private wings” in government hospitals to raise revenue for the country's underfunded public healthcare system. In this episode of Public Health, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of private wings, with a look at the Full Paying Patient (FPP) scheme that has been in place in selected government hospitals since 2007. Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a Professor in Health Economics, Hospital & Health Management with the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, joins us for this discussion.Image credit: Shutterstock

For people living with HIV, the presence of the virus means they are often at risk of certain infections and health conditions. This includes the impact on their brain health, and in particular, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. Here to shed more light on that and how advances in HIV treatment have changed the lives of people living with HIV, are Dr Reuben N. Robbins, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Psychology at Columbia University and Dr Wong Pui Li, Infectious Diseases Physician from University Malaya Medical Centre.Image credit: Shutterstock

Music has the power to heal, but it's not just about how you feel after listening to your favourite music. Music therapy might not be familiar to many, but it can be used to help people from children to older adults with different physical and mental health issues. On this episode of Humans of Healthcare, we speak to music therapist Dr Indra Selvarajah - who is also the founding president of the Malaysian Music Therapy Association - to find out more about what it takes to work in this field as well as the art and science of music therapy. Dr Indra is also the chair of the Global Crises Intervention Commission under the World Federation of Music Therapy.Image credit: YouTube @TEDxTalks

Last week, Health Ministry Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad launched two action plans for elderly care: the Elderly Healthcare Services Action Plan and the Dementia Action Plan. On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we'll be dissecting the Dementia Action Plan and how it will address the increased risk of dementia in our ageing population - as well as whether the plan lives up to expectations when advocates have been calling for it for years. To do that, we speak to consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin from University Malaya Medical Centre and Gan Chong Shyan, Project Manager of Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia.Image credit: Shutterstock

This year's Paris Olympics was not without controversy - most infamously for the gender row in boxing. Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwanese Lin Yu-Ting were questioned for their participation in women's boxing despite them being disqualified in last year's world championships for failing to meet the eligibility criteria. But nothing is black and white, to dive into differences in sex development and how (or when) it matters in sports, we have our guest Dr Alun Williams, professor of sport and exercise genomics from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport.

We all know about the dangers of cholesterol. But it's not just a simple matter of having high or low cholesterol. Enter: LDL (or bad) cholesterol, the silent threat to your heart. Join CVSKL's consultant cardiologist Dr Al Fazir Omar to get the lowdown on LDL, and how that affects your risk of heart disease. And we'll be featuring a special guest: a heart disease patient sharing how he overcame his personal fears to change his behaviour, and how he lives well today with better management of his disease.This is an edited replay of BFM's Health & Living 2024 ‘Your Heart Must Go On'. This World Heart Day event was part of Unblocked, a movement for heart health, sponsored by CVSKL, in collaboration with Novartis.

Are you struggling with a conflict with your colleagues or boss? Working in a toxic environment? Or feeling stressed and burnt out from work, but don't know what to do about it? On Counsellor's Corner, Christine Chew addresses your questions about workplace problems that affect your mental health.

If you have a heart attack, early recognition of your symptoms is a major life-saving factor. But what does a heart attack really feel like, and how do we distinguish it from other conditions? We find out how to recognise the signs of a heart attack, and what to do if it happens to us or people in our vicinity. Dr Wan Faizal Wan Rahimi Shah, Consultant Cardiologist from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL), joins us for this discussion.

What is it like living with a chronic condition from birth and to have a lifetime of managing health complications that would never go away? That's the reality for people born with spina bifida, one of the most congenital birth defects in the world. In this episode of NCD Chronicles, we hear from Su Xiao Vin, a person with spina bifida, on the challenges of living with less visible disabilities and how it affected her both at school and, later, at work. We also hear from Prof Dr Amaramalar Selvi Naicker, consultant rehabilitation physician and co-founder of Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association Malaysia (SIBIAM).NCD Chronicles is a series about people living with NCDs, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the disease, in our response to the NCD epidemic. —SIBIAM is organising the 30th International Conference on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus from 24th to 26th October in Kuala Lumpur, the first time this international event is hosted in Southeast Asia. To find out more and support the work of the conference and SIBIAM, go to www.sibiam.my.Image Credit: Su Xiao Vin

World Pharmacists Day is observed on 25 September annually, to recognise and celebrate the crucial role that pharmacists play in building healthier communities everywhere. This year's theme focuses on ‘Pharmacists: Meeting global health needs'. Why is it important to get to know your friendly community pharmacist, and how do they play a role in promoting health at the community, as well as national level? We speak to Lim En Ni, a community pharmacist, to find out more. Image credit: Shutterstock

Barely a day seems to go by without a news report about an incident of child abuse or neglect. While the shocking discovery of physical and sexual abuse happening in welfare homes operated by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) has caught the nation's attention, there are also numerous incidents of children being tortured, punished, sexually abused, groomed online, as well as sustaining injuries due to negligence. With government hospitals being the main source of identifying and referring child abuse cases, we check in with Dr Sasha Mohan, Head, Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Committee, Hospital Ampang. Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician, joins us for this conversation. If you suspect child abuse or neglect has taken place, you can make a police report, call Talian Kasih at 15999 to make a confidential report, or approach the SCAN team at the nearest government hospital.Image credit: Shutterstock

Did you know that atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm condition, is more likely to develop as people get older, have uncontrolled hypertension and underlying heart disease? This puts many of us at risk, and therefore, with higher chances of developing a stroke. In this session, Datuk Dr Razali Omar, consultant electrophysiologist and cardiologist from CVSKL, shares about the latest innovations in treatments and therapies for atrial fibrillation. This is an edited replay of BFM's Health & Living 2024 ‘Your Heart Must Go On'. This World Heart Day event was part of Unblocked, a movement for heart health, sponsored by CVSKL, in collaboration with Novartis.

In 2023, 3,361 sexual harassment and assault cases were recorded by the police. Of this number, 4 percent of the victims were male. Joshua - a survivor of sexual abuse - wrote in an opinion piece in Free Malaysia Today, “I often think of this 4% – these 135 men and boys – whose cases are on record, and marvel at their bravery.”Joshua's own bravery comes to light on this episode of Because Feelings Matter, where he opens up about two separate incidents of sexual abuse that he experienced as a child and teenager, and his struggle to overcome the feelings of shame and fear that silenced him for years. ‘Because Feelings Matter' is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it's okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well.*If you or someone you know is experiencing gender-based violence, you can contact these helplines: Telenita-AWAM (016-237 4221 / 016-228 4221), WAO (03-3000 8858 / Whatsapp 018-988 8058), WCC Penang (011-3108 4001 / 016-439 0698), Sarawak Women for Women Society (016-582 2660 / Whatsapp 013-804 4285), Sabah Women's Action-Resource Group (088-280 200 / 011-2790 8020)Image provided by Joshua

Over 15% of the Malaysian adult population have diabetes and almost half of that number are undiagnosed. That should be a wake-up call for all of us because if not managed well, diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, and kidney failure. Here to help us understand that link and how people living with diabetes can better manage their condition, is Dr Saiful Kassim, consultant endocrinologist at Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur.This is a disease awareness message brought to you by Novo Nordisk Malaysia. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional in the event of any medical query or emergency.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Your heart works day and night to keep blood pumping throughout your body, but what happens when your heart begins to fail? Would you even notice? We speak to Dr Raja Ezman Faridz Raja Sharif, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of Heart Failure Services, Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah UiTM about the challenges in detecting and treating heart failure, as well as Tan Mee Hui, who discovered she has heart failure in her 30s. Image Credit: Shutterstock