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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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