08/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 8, 2025

26

HEALTH

Lymphoma can be beaten, cured if diagnosed early o Timely intervention boosts treatment outcomes, survival chances of patients

TOOL TO ADVANCE CANCER, INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH, TREATMENT Researchers at the Antimicrobial Resistance interdisciplinary research group of the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s research enterprise in Singapore, have developed a tool capable of scanning thousands of biological samples to detect transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modifications – tiny chemical changes to RNA molecules that help control how cells grow, adapt to stress and respond to diseases such as cancer and antibiotic resistant infections. This tool opens up new possibilities for science, healthcare and industry – from accelerating disease research and enabling more precise diagnostics, to guiding the development of more effective medical treatments for diseases such as cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections. ALPRO GROUP LAUNCHES FREE SCHOOL HEALTH SCREENINGS Alpro Group has launched a large-scale school health screening initiative through its healthcare subsidiaries Alpro Pharmacy and OptiSaver by Alpro. This programme offers complimentary growth, nutrition and vision screenings. Beginning with over 3,000 children across Smart Reader centres, it is now open to preschools and primary schools across Malaysia. To address these growing concerns, Alpro Group’s initiative provides a comprehensive suite of on-site health screenings delivered by healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians and optometrists. Signs of lymphoma While lymphoma can affect individuals of all ages, certain factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. The likelihood of developing lymphoma rises with age, particularly NHL, with the median age of diagnosis being 67. In Malaysia, NHL is the sixth most common cancer among males and the L YMPHOMA is a type of blood cancer that targets lymphocytes, a crucial form of white blood cell responsible for defending the body against infections like bacteria and viruses. It occurs when a mutation in normal lymphocytes transforms them into abnormal, cancerous cells. It can be classified as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). According to Globocan 2022, NHL ranked 10th globally among cancer sites, accounting for 553,389 cases and 250,679 deaths in that year alone. In Malaysia, lymphoma is the fourth most common cancer and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Early detection and timely intervention are important in the fight against lymphoma. NHL and HL The difference between HL and NHL lies in the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells found in HL but not in NHL. HL is typically diagnosed in younger adults, while NHL is more common in older adults and has many subtypes, including B-cell and T-cell lymphomasv. Unlike normal lymphocytes, the abnormal cells replicate rapidly and have an extended lifespan. These cancerous cells spread through the blood and lymphatic systems, eventually growing in various body parts, including the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and other organs. As a result, patients with lymphoma will usually present with painless enlargement of lymph nodes or abnormal blood counts. While NHL is more prevalent than HL, men are at a higher risk of developing both types. Individuals with lymphoma may experience a range of symptoms, such as prolonged fever for unknown reason, with temperature above 39.5 degrees, unexpected weight loss, skin rash or itching, and unusual drenching sweating at night. It is crucial to recognise these symptoms early, as timely diagnosis and early intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

even stage four showing a cure rate of up to 70%. However, the treatment options vary depending on the type and staging of lymphoma as well as the aggressiveness of the cancer. Common treatments include immunochemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, autologous stem cell or bone marrow transplantation and Chimeric Antigenic Receptor-T (CAR-T) Cell Therapy. Hence, it is important to consult with a specialist to tailor the treatment plan. A diagnosis of lymphoma can impact patients both mentally and physically. The side effects of treatment, coupled with the emotional toll of battling cancer, can affect a patient’s quality of life. However, people with lymphoma can manage these challenges by maintaining a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains and full-fat dairy products, consuming well-cooked food during treatment and avoiding traditional medicine to prevent potential drug intervention. When it comes to daily activities, meditation or relaxation exercises like deep breathing exercises may reduce the stress and fatigue of the patients and further increase the quality of life. A supporting group may also increase the treatment outcomes by managing symptoms and side effects, and providing emotional and spiritual support. Lymphoma is a formidable adversary, but with early detection, the right treatment and strong support, it is a battle that can be won. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City consultant haemotologist and transplant physician Dr Hon Siong Leng.

In Malaysia, lymphoma is the fourth most common cancer and the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Exposure to chemicals such as benzene, pesticides and herbicides such as glyphosate has been linked to an increased risk of developing the disease. Additionally, individuals who have previously undergone cancer treatment like chemotherapy or radiotherapy may face a higher likelihood of lymphoma later in life. Survival rates and treatment options The good news is that lymphoma is one of the highly curable forms of cancer. The overall cure rate for lymphoma can be as high as 80% with

eighth most common cancer among females. However, age is just one of the many risk factors. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to lymphoma. This includes those who have undergone organ transplants in the past, and are on immunosuppressive medications, as well as individuals infected with viruses such as HIV, AIDS or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A family history of lymphoma and environmental factors also play a role in elevating the risk of lymphoma.

Inflammation may cause cardiovascular attacks, strokes in healthy women, say researchers

BR I E F S

INFLAMMATION may help explain why heart attacks and strokes occur in women who do not have any of the usual risk factors, researchers say. Women who suffer heart attacks or strokes often have none of what are thought to be the main risk factors for major cardiovascular events such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking, researchers said in Madrid at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. For three decades, they tracked 12,530 initially healthy women without any of the traditional risk factors, according to a report of the study published in the European Heart Journal . The women who started the study with elevated levels of an inflammation marker called C-reactive protein, or CRP, as measured by a high sensitivity test, had a 77% increased lifetime risk of coronary heart disease, a 39% increased lifetime risk of stroke and a 52% increased lifetime risk of any major cardiovascular event compared to women with lower CRP. High levels on the high sensitivity test were defined as greater than 3mg per litere of blood. An observational study like this one cannot prove inflammation caused the cardiovascular events. It is well known, however, that over time, even low levels of inflammation can promote growth of plaques in arteries, loosen those plaques and trigger the blood clots that are the primary causes of heart attacks and strokes. “Our data clearly show that apparently

Healthy women can have heart attacks due to inflammation. – 123RFPIC

randomised trials, his team also found that statin drugs can cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by more than one-third for women with inflammation who do not have the usual cardiovascular risk factors. “While those with inflammation should aggressively initiate lifestyle and behavioural preventive efforts, statin therapy could also play an important role in helping reduce risk among these individuals,” Ridker said. – Reuters

healthy women who are inflamed are at substantial lifetime risk,” study leader Dr Paul Ridker of Mass General Brigham’s Heart and Vascular Institute said in a statement. “We should be identifying these women in their 40s, at a time when they can initiate preventive care, not wait for the disease to establish itself in their 70s, when it is often too late to make a real difference,” he said. Looking back at data from earlier