AGTC Genomics, Icon Oncology and Life Care Raise Awareness of Finding Cancer Early and Choosing the Right Treatment
Cancer may develop without obvious warning signs. Understanding when to get screened, what treatment options are available and why regular follow-up matters can help people take better care of their health.
These messages were highlighted at “Know · Prevent · Detect”, a public cancer awareness event held on 24 October 2026 at LifeCare Bangsar South, bringing together experts from AGTC Genomics, Icon Oncology and Life Care.
With the theme “Cancer: What You Don’t Know Could Matter”, the event helped participants understand cancer in everyday terms, from recognising risks and making healthier food choices to learning how advances in testing can support cancer care.
Speakers included Professor Dr Leong Chee Onn, Founder and CEO of AGTC Genomics; Dr Lee Hong Moi, Clinical Oncologist at Icon Oncology Malaysia; and Ms Coren Chang Yu Huey, Registered Dietitian at LifeCare Diagnostic Medical Centre.
Finding cancer before symptoms appear
Feeling well does not always mean there is no cancer. Screening aims to find signs of cancer before symptoms develop, when treatment may have a better chance of success.
The event encouraged people to speak with their doctors about suitable screening based on their age, family history and personal risk.
Newer blood tests, known as multi-cancer early detection tests, look for possible signs of several cancers in one blood sample. These tests have limitations: an abnormal result needs further investigation, and a normal result does not rule out cancer. They should complement recommended screening, such as breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening.
People with persistent or unexplained symptoms should seek medical advice, even if a recent screening result was normal.
Understanding the cancer to guide treatment
For someone diagnosed with cancer, an important question is: “Which treatment is most suitable for me?”
Even cancers that start in the same organ can behave differently. By studying genetic changes within the cancer, doctors may find clues that help them choose medicines that target particular weaknesses in the cancer cells.
This testing can help identify suitable treatment options for some patients. The results are considered together with the cancer’s stage, other test findings and the patient’s overall health.
Keeping watch after treatment
Completing treatment is an important milestone, but follow-up care remains essential.
Regular appointments, examinations and scans help doctors check recovery and look for signs that cancer may have returned. In selected situations, specialised blood tests can also look for tiny traces of DNA released by cancer cells.
These tests may provide an earlier warning of possible recurrence in some cancers. The treating doctor should decide whether they are useful and what the results mean. They do not replace regular follow-up care.
Through this event, AGTC Genomics, Icon Oncology and Life Care encouraged the public to take an active role in their health: attend appropriate screening, seek advice promptly and understand the next steps in their care.
About AGTC Genomics
AGTC Genomics is a Malaysian genomics and precision medicine company helping people and healthcare professionals make more informed health decisions. Its laboratory in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, holds ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17025 and College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditations.
The company provides testing to assess inherited cancer risk, look for early signs of cancer, help doctors select suitable treatments and support monitoring after treatment. By combining advanced genetic testing with clinical expertise, AGTC Genomics aims to make personalised healthcare more accessible and affordable in Malaysia and across the region.
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