Health

Why cancer survivorship must protect the heart too

ON the day cancer treatment ends, many patients expect life to finally return to normal. The scans are clear, the appointments become less frequent, and family members breathe a collective sigh of relief.

After months or years of fear and uncertainty, the word “survivor” feels like a finish line. But for a growing number of people, it is not the end of the journey; it is the start of a quieter, more complicated chapter.

For many years, cancer care focused on one overriding goal which is survival. Patients and doctors alike asked the same urgent question: can we beat the disease?

Every test, every drug, and every difficult decision revolved around that single aim. Today, the answer is increasingly hopeful. Advances in early detection, chemotherapy, targeted treatments and radiotherapy mean more Malaysians are surviving cancer than ever before.

This is one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements, transforming cancer from a fatal diagnosis into a chronic, often manageable condition.

Yet this success has revealed a new challenge, one that rarely makes headlines: what happens after cancer treatment ends? As survival improves, doctors are seeing more cancer survivors develop other serious health problems years later.

Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels are appearing with surprising frequency. These conditions can limit independence, increase hospital visits and, in some cases, pose a greater long-term threat than the cancer itself.

For survivors, this reality can be deeply unsettling. After enduring surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, many expect their health to steadily improve.

Instead, some find themselves breathless after short walks, struggling with rising blood sugar, or facing lifelong medication for heart conditions they never had before.

Cancer and heart disease are often treated as separate worlds, managed by different specialists in different clinics. In reality, they are closely connected.

Both share common risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, chronic inflammation and ageing, conditions that are increasingly common in Malaysia.

Cancer treatments themselves can also strain the body. Some chemotherapy drugs may weaken the heart muscle. Radiotherapy involving the chest can affect blood vessels years later.

Hormonal therapies and prolonged steroid use can disrupt metabolism, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and abnormal cholesterol levels.

This does not mean cancer treatments are unsafe or should be avoided; rather, it means survivorship care must evolve to reflect the realities of longer life after cancer.

Traditionally, healthcare has been organised around individual diseases. Cancer is treated in oncology centres. Heart disease is managed by cardiologists. Diabetes and metabolic disorders are addressed elsewhere.

While this structure works for short-term treatment, it struggles when conditions overlap over time. A patient may complete cancer therapy, be discharged from oncology follow-up, and return to routine care.

Years later, heart failure or diabetes develops, often without clear links being made to past cancer treatment. By the time symptoms appear, damage may already be significant.

This is why experts are increasingly calling for a more integrated approach to survivorship care, one that recognises cancer as part of a broader health journey rather than an isolated episode.

Cancer centres are uniquely positioned to lead this shift. They already follow patients closely, collect detailed treatment histories and manage complex care plans. By embedding heart and metabolic health monitoring into cancer care, risks can be identified early rather than discovered late.

This means assessing cardiovascular and metabolic health before treatment begins, monitoring changes during therapy, and continuing follow-up long after remission. Simple measures such as regular blood pressure checks, blood sugar monitoring, heart function screening and lifestyle counselling can make a meaningful difference.

Family medicine specialists play a vital coordinating role in this model. Working alongside oncologists, cardiologists and endocrinologists, they help ensure continuity of care across years, not just treatment cycles.

This team-based approach reduces the risk of survivors falling through the cracks once active cancer treatment ends. Prevention is another powerful benefit of integrated survivorship care.

Many heart and metabolic complications can be delayed, reduced or avoided entirely with early intervention. Encouraging physical activity, supporting healthy weight management, addressing smoking and improving diet may seem basic, but for cancer survivors they are essential tools for long-term recovery.

Early treatment of high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or rising blood sugar can prevent serious disease later. For survivors, these measures are not optional add-ons; they are a necessary extension of cancer care itself.

This approach is particularly relevant for Malaysia. Cancer incidence continues to rise as the population ages, while cardiovascular disease and diabetes remain leading causes of illness and death.

Treating these conditions separately places increasing strain on healthcare resources and patients alike.

An integrated survivorship model makes both medical and practical sense. It shifts care from crisis response to early prevention and recognises patients as whole individuals rather than a collection of separate diagnoses.

Helping cancer survivors live longer should go hand in hand with helping them live better. Survival alone is not enough if it is accompanied by preventable chronic disease. Beating cancer is no longer the end of the story.

For many, it marks the beginning of a new chapter that deserves protection, planning and care. As cancer care continues to advance, our approach to survivorship must advance with it, ensuring that life after cance

r is not only longer, but healthier and fuller. ‒ Feb 19, 2026

 

Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

BFOOD

Boycott pressure keeps Berjaya Food loss-making despite narrower deficit

BFood’s quarter two financial year 2026 (2QFY26) revenue of RM126.3 translated to core loss after tax, amortisation and minority interest of -RM10.6 mil.

The results missed both Hong Leong Investment Bank’s (-RM44.6 mil) and consensus (-RM46.8 mil) expectations, primarily due to weaker than expected sales at Starbucks and a slower pace of demand recovery.

While losses continued to narrow, earnings remain firmly in the red, extending the group’s loss making streak.

Group revenue declined -2% QoQ to RM126.3 mil, driven by underperformance in Malaysia (-2%), which more than offset growth from other SEA markets (+35%).

The weakness in Malaysia reflects the ongoing Starbucks boycott since Oct-23 following the Israel–Gaza war, which continues to materially suppress traffic and sales. 

Growth in other SEA markets was supported by contributions from newly opened Paris Baguette outlets in the Philippines. 

“Despite the sequential narrowing of losses to -RM10.6 mil, we believe a return to profitability will take time given the still challenging demand environment,” said HLIB.

Top line improved by +3% year-on-year to RM254.5 mil, largely driven by overseas operations. This offset lower revenue from Malaysia following the closure of underperforming stores. 

Losses narrowed to -RM26.8 mil in the first half of financial year 2026 (1HFY26) from – RM69.0 mil in 1HFY25, supported by cost-saving initiatives, store rationalisation, and lower depreciation and amortisation charges. 

That said, the improvement remains largely cost-driven rather than revenue-led, underscoring the fragility of the recovery. Management continues to prioritise footprint optimisation as part of its operational reset. Starbucks Malaysia’s store count declined to 267 outlets following 20 net closures in 2QFY26, while KRR and Paris Baguette stood at 27 outlets (ten closures) and 17 outlets (one addition), respectively. 

While management is considering selective Starbucks expansion (10 smaller-format stores), the overarching focus remains on consolidation, operational efficiency, labour productivity, and disciplined marketing. 

“We expect the lingering brand overhang from geopolitical tensions to continue weighing on BFood in the near term, delaying any meaningful recovery toward pre-boycott performance levels,” said HLIB.

At the same time, intensifying competition from rapidly expanding local and China-based coffee chains is structurally raising competitive pressure, further constraining Starbucks’ ability to regain lost market share. Overall, earnings visibility remains low, with no clear catalyst to drive a sustained turnaround. —FocusM Feb 6, 2025

Main image: Berjaya Food

Gen Z

Gen Z: Inability to adapt, or is the world changing too fast?

IN recent years, complaints have continuously been made about the younger generation, especially Generation Z (Gen Z) who are regarded as struggling with adapting, whether at work, in universities, or within the community.

Gen Z has been labelled as a pampered generation, who will be easily discouraged and lacking resilience. Nonetheless, a crucial question remains, namely, are they truly unable to adapt, or has the world changed so rapidly that it has become difficult for them to adapt?

Specifically, Gen Z has been raised in an environment substantially dissimilar to that of previous generations, wherein they were born into a fully digital world, which is teemed with smartphones, the internet, and social media as part of daily life since childhood.

Gen Z has learned, socialised, and entertained themselves through the screens of digital devices, and physical interaction, which was a natural training ground for social skills, has currently become increasingly limited.

Therefore, Gen Z appear awkward when interacting physically, especially in formal settings such as the workplace.

Childhood, which was once frequently associated with outdoor activities and group play, has currently been substituted with a more controlled and virtual world.

Children of the past learned empathy, patience, and compromise through real-life social experiences, whereas numerous Gen Z individuals have grown up in a safe yet isolated space.

As a result, social skills—such as understanding other individuals’ emotions, fitting into groups, or communicating confidently—did not naturally develop.

Aside from the influence of the digital world, modern parenting styles have also contributed to the above behaviours. Particularly, multiple parents of Gen Z have adopted an overly protective approach, despite a positive intention, namely, yearning for children to be safe and successful.

Nevertheless, unintentionally, Gen Z children were not offered sufficient opportunities to learn from small failures or perform personal decisions. When parents managed everything, children would lose the ability to be independent and to adapt when encountering actual challenges.

The impact of such upbringing has become evident as Gen Z children have grown up. Multiple Gen Z excel academically but lack self-assurance when experiencing social pressure and job demands.

Gen Z has also become easily anxious, unsure of personal capabilities, and is inclined to avoid uncomfortable situations, which are not signs of weakness but an indication that Gen Z children did not possess adequate opportunities to develop social and emotional resilience while growing up.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also shaped the social patterns of Gen Z, particularly during crucial developmental periods, namely adolescence and early adulthood, wherein Gen Z was compelled to live in isolation, as school, university, and social activities were conducted virtually.

Accordingly, human connections were developed through screens instead of through physical touch or eye contact. When the lockdown measures were lifted, numerous Gen Z individuals felt awkward and unsure how to reintegrate into actual interactions.

Meanwhile, evaluating Gen Z only through existing weaknesses is unfair, as in actual reality, Gen Z also possesses different strengths. Gen Z individuals are more open to diversity, sensitive to social issues, and bold in expressing personal perspectives.

Concurrently, Gen Z can adapt swiftly to different technologies and possesses high levels of creativity, which suggests that Gen Z requires more guidance to balance digital competence with social maturity.

In work and educational contexts, traditional approaches may no longer be effective, and employers and educators should understand that Gen Z values open communication, immediate feedback, and opportunities to express personal opinions.

Gen Z does not reject discipline, but rather, they seek more authentic and mutually respectful relationships. When management and teaching approaches are more empathetic, Gen Z can fully demonstrate personal potential.

The contemporary world is more complex than previously, and various issues, especially mental health, social media pressures, and economic uncertainty, produce direct impacts on the psychological well-being of Gen Z.

As such, support based on understanding rather than criticism should constantly be offered, as Gen Z does not require negative labels, but rather, the space to learn, fail, and rebound.

Gen Z is not a weak generation; instead, Gen Z is shaped by an environment different from that of the previous generation. The current world has rapidly shifted, and social challenges encountered by Gen Z are more intricate, which necessitate different adaptation approaches.

Hence, a deeper understanding of the actual context and a change in existing perspectives are required instead of evaluating Gen Z through outdated standards.

Instead of perceiving Gen Z as struggling to adapt, the key question is “Have we provided enough space and opportunity for them to learn to adapt?” Ultimately, developing a resilient generation is not solely the responsibility of Gen Z; instead, the responsibility is shared by all existing generations.

Gen Z is a reflection of the world that all generations have collaboratively created, and an environment that nurtures, rather than penalises, should be shaped to assist Gen Z in becoming more potent and mature. ‒ Jan 27, 2026

Dr Syarifah Maisarah Syed Alwi is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya and a clinical psychologist.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

Trump

Trump says he thinks China can open its markets to US goods

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Reuters (Jan 13): US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he thinks China can open its markets to American goods, once again asserting he had a good relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"I think it's going to happen," Trump said when asked if he thinks Chinese markets could open to US goods. He did not elaborate.

Washington and Beijing have had tense ties for years over issues like trade tariffs, intellectual property, human rights, the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, cybersecurity and policies towards Taiwan, Hong Kong and Russia's war in Ukraine.

A day earlier, Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on countries that trade with Iran, risking reopening old wounds with Beijing, Tehran's biggest trading partner.

China condemned Trump's threat and Trump did not provide details on his plan to impose tariffs on countries conducting trade with Iran, which is currently seeing some of its biggest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Trump has been weighing how to respond to the situation in Iran, which fought a 12-day war with US ally Israel last year and whose nuclear sites were bombed by the American military in June.

Trump

Trump will take Greenland by any means necessary

DENMARK has described itself as now facing a defining moment in its diplomatic crisis with the United States over the issue of Greenland.

The assessment was made after US President Donald Trump once again hinted at the possible use of military force to seize the Arctic territory.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said there is a conflict over the territory ahead of a meeting in Washington, which will discuss the global competition for key raw materials.

US President Donald Trump has again insisted that Washington will take over Greenland “by whatever means necessary”, citing national security interests and concerns over Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic region.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Greenland, which is rich in strategic mineral resources, must come under US control to prevent other major powers from dominating it.

Trump’s stance has drawn strong opposition from Germany and Sweden, both of which expressed firm support for Denmark, in line with most NATO member states.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned that any US move to take over mineral-rich Greenland would be a violation of international law and could encourage other countries to act in a similar way.

Meanwhile, Germany has reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of the talks in Washington.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who is scheduled to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio, held discussions in Iceland to address the strategic challenges in the region.

“If the US President is concerned about threats that might come from Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in the area, we can certainly work together to find solutions,” he said, stressing that Greenland’s future must be decided by its own people and Denmark. — FocusM, Jan 12, 2025

MALAYSIA

From forest to flood: How lost biodiversity shows up in your wallet

WHEN floods hit Malaysia, the first thing we notice is the rising water. It moves quickly, fills our streets, enters our homes and brings life to a temporary standstill. What we do not always see is the deeper story behind these disasters.

The decline of forests, weakened river systems and shrinking mangroves has slowly reduced the ability of our landscapes to absorb heavy rain and buffer storms.

The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2024 highlights that wildlife populations in the Asia Pacific have fallen by about 60% since 1970. Freshwater species worldwide have declined by 85%. These figures signal that ecosystems everywhere are struggling to cope with climate stress.

Biodiversity may sound like a scientific term, but it simply refers to the variety of life that keeps our natural systems running. Forests hold rainwater and release it gradually into rivers. Wetlands act like natural sponges. Healthy soils prevent erosion and landslides. Mangroves cushion coastal villages from strong waves.

Scientists refer to these benefits as ecosystem services, and they form the foundation of Malaysia’s safety, wellbeing and economic activity.

Global studies by the World Bank in 2023 and the WWF report in 2024 show that more than half of the world’s economic output depends on these natural systems. When they deteriorate, the services they provide weaken, and the consequences are felt across homes, businesses and public funds.

In Malaysia, healthy forests, wetlands and rivers are often the first and most affordable defence against severe weather. The financial impact of natural disasters goes beyond the immediate clean up after a flood.

Floods disrupt transport networks, slow down deliveries and force businesses to close temporarily. Agricultural areas take longer to recover, which affects harvests and reduces supply.

Local authorities spend more in drainage upgrades, river maintenance and emergency services. At the same time, families face higher repair bills and lost income during periods when they cannot work.

The Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)-World Bank’s 2022 analysis of nature-related financial risks in Malaysia notes that repeated climate-related disasters place growing pressure on both household finances and national development plans.

Each flood becomes part of a larger cycle that drains resources and reduces long-term financial security. For ordinary Malaysians, the decline of natural systems creates three financial pathways that impact the cost of living and long-term financial wellbeing.

The first is the cost of food. Farming depends on stable rainfall, healthy soils and functioning rivers. When these systems are disrupted, harvests become unpredictable and fish stocks decline.

Supply tightens when weather events destroy crops or reduce fishing days, and prices rise as a result. Even modest disruptions in agricultural regions can create noticeable changes in market prices because the food system is closely linked to climate and ecosystem health.

The second pathway is the burden on monthly expenses. Frequent floods increase insurance claims, which leads to higher premiums. Households may also face repeated repair costs for vehicles, appliances and building structures.

Small businesses lose revenue when they have to close temporarily, and this affects overall household income. Local councils and utilities also face higher operating costs when infrastructure is repeatedly damaged, which increase pressure on public funds.

The third pathway relates to long term savings. Pension funds and financial institutions invest in sectors that rely on nature, such as agriculture, plantations, fisheries and tourism. These sectors rely heavily on stable ecosystems.

When natural systems decline and climate impacts grow stronger, investment risks increase, and returns may be affected. Over time, this trend can influence the performance of savings and investment instruments that Malaysians depend on for retirement.

The link between nature and money becomes even clearer when we consider how land utilisation decisions are made. Floods intensify when land use decisions do not consider the long term impact on water catchments and coastal ecosystems.

Forests are sometimes cleared too extensively, hills are cut in unsafe ways and rivers are constrained by development. These changes weaken the landscape and increase vulnerability.

Malaysia has strong frameworks for environmental management, yet the challenge often lies in consistent enforcement and long-term coordination. This is where financial institutions become important.

Banks and investors play an important role in shaping land use through the projects they choose to fund, and their decisions can either support healthy ecosystem or increase environmental risks.

Nevertheless, there is a hopeful side to the story. Nature can recover when given the chance, and restoration often costs far less than rebuilding after a flood. Evidence from WWF Malaysia and global nature based solutions research shows that restoration is both practical and cost effective.

For example, the mangrove rehabilitation in Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam has helped stabilise shorelines and protect fishing villages. In the Ulu Muda water catchment, conservation efforts have supported cleaner rivers and reduced sediment entering treatment plants.

Reforestation in highland areas such as Fraser’s Hill has improved slope stability and helped regulate water flow downstream. These projects show that strategic investments in nature can provide reliable and long lasting protection.

The growing impact of floods in Malaysia serves as a reminder that climate and biodiversity risks are closely connected to financial wellbeing.

Nature provides essential protection, and when it weakens, the costs fall on households, communities and the national economy. By strengthening land use planning, safeguarding forests and rivers, and expanding restoration work, Malaysia can reduce future losses and build a more resilient foundation for growth. ‒ Dec 17, 2025

 

- Dr Siti Hawa Yusof is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Finance, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya.

TRASH

Trash keeps piling up: Illegal dumping hotspots surge across Kuala Lumpur despite warnings

Malay Mail KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Illegal dumping sites are becoming increasingly common across the capital, with dozens of new rubbish piles appearing in back lanes, on empty lots and along road shoulders despite repeated warnings.

According to a report by The Star, a senior officer from the Kuala Lumpur Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) said the number of hotspots has climbed to 56, with the figure continuing to grow.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said domestic waste is collected twice a week, while bulk items, recyclables and garden cuttings are picked up once weekly — yet many still choose to leave discarded furniture and other refuse by the roadside.

“They would rather leave an old mattress by the roadside than put it in front of their homes,” he said, adding that the growing number of illegal heaps is cutting into cleaners’ time for routine work.

He said it only takes one person to dump items such as garden waste or unwanted sofas for others to follow suit, creating what he described as a cycle that “just doesn’t stop”.

Construction and commercial waste have also become major contributors. 

Some owners, he said, avoid hiring licensed contractors by abandoning renovation debris or commercial refuse at communal bins or by the roadside to dodge tipping fees.

“To curb illegal dumping by the commercial sector, we have also stopped providing communal bins to shoplots in some commercial areas,” he said.

These premises will now receive individual 240-litre bins. 

Previously, shoplots used larger 660-litre communal bins supplied by Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, but these were frequently misused by outsiders who discarded bulk waste and renovation materials.

The officer said the shift to individual bins is aimed at improving accountability among business operators.