Drawing on her frontline clinical experience in Malaysia, Prof Dr Wan Zamaniah, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, University Malaya Medical Centre offers a clear view of the structural barriers that delay cancer diagnosis and treatment across emerging Asian markets. In this BioPharma APAC interview, she explains how patient behaviour, health system constraints, and socio cultural factors intersect, and outlines what must change in evidence generation, policy frameworks, and global platforms to deliver more timely and equitable cancer care.

From your frontline experience, what structural barriers most impact timely cancer treatment in Malaysia and similar markets?

Delayed cancer treatment in Malaysia stems from patient-related issues (fear, lack of awareness and education, traditional remedies, low income), healthcare system gaps (uneven access, lack of screening access, strained resources, miscommunication), and socio-cultural factors (fear, stigma, beliefs, transport), leading to late presentation, misdiagnosis, and bottlenecks in diagnosis and treatment phases, especially for rural populations and certain cancer types.

How can Asian led clinical evidence better inform national cancer policies and treatment guidelines?

We need studies that reflect real practice in our region. Pragmatic trials and linked real-world data should capture local costs, toxicity for both financial and treatment, quality of life, and the access to return to work, not just survival. Biomarkers and dosing must be validated in our populations and laboratories and at reasonable price to open the access to all cancer patients. Health technology assessments should use Malaysian and regional cost data and outcomes, with coverage tied to evidence development where needed. Resource-stratified guidelines can set clear minimum and optimal care packages that fit different hospital capacities, while prioritizing cancers that are more common here. Policies should track equity metrics, such as time to diagnosis, stage at presentation, and access to biomarker testing, so we can see and fix gaps.

What practical steps are needed to give greater visibility and platforms to Asian oncologists and researchers globally?

We should co-lead Asia-led platform and trials, publish high-quality multicenter studies, and share datasets using common standards. Gaining seats on guideline panels, editorial boards, and HTA committees will amplify regional perspectives. Regional forums, including the 2026 ASCO Breakthrough meeting in Singapore, are powerful platforms to showcase work, form consortia, and align on methods. Institutions can support visibility by providing protected time, travel grants, and media training, and by building speaker networks that include colleagues from secondary and rural centers. Clear data governance, pre-registration of protocols, and open science practices will increase trust and impact, helping Asian evidence shape global practice.