Support Our Scientists: Meet the Researchers Advancing Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

It’s been almost two years since we launched the Support Our Scientists (SOS) campaign in April 2023. Since then, we’ve brought science closer to the public through webinars, interviews, and articles featuring the first four faces of SOS, Dr Ngoi Soo Mun, Dr Gan Chai Phei, Dr Senthilmani Rajendran, and Dinie Junaidi.

Thanks to their dedication and the unwavering support of our donors, we’ve raised over RM60,000 to fuel critical cancer research. At Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY), we strongly believe that every breakthrough starts with one thing, our scientists.

While our researchers continue their work in early detection, treatment innovations, and patient support, we’re excited to expand the SOS campaign by introducing two scientists from the Cancer Prevention and Population Science (CPPS) Research Unit, Dr Tai Mei Chee and Dr Loo Yen Chi.

Cancer research isn’t just about science, it’s about people. It’s about families getting more time together, patients being diagnosed earlier, and communities gaining better prevention strategies.

With two new scientists joining our mission, we’re taking another step forward in saving lives and trying our best to reduce the burden of cancer in Malaysia and beyond.

Dr Tai Mei Chee, Deputy Head of Cancer Prevention and Population
Science Research Unit

For Dr Tai Mei Chee, the path became clear when she lost her grandfather to stage 4 cancer. His diagnosis came too late, leaving little time for treatment. Determined to make a difference, she made it her mission to find ways to detect and prevent cancer earlier, knowing that early detection could have given him and so many others a fighting chance.

Now, as Deputy Head of the CPPS Research Unit, she leads studies to identify genetic risks for breast cancer, helping doctors determine who is most at risk and what can be done to reduce that risk.

“I do not want other families to go through what mine did. If we can prevent cancer or detect it earlier, we can save lives.”

Dr Mei Chee’s research focuses on how genes, lifestyle and reproductive factors contribute to cancer risk. With over a decade of experience in genetic epidemiology, she is paving the way for better prevention strategies tailored to Malaysians.

She delves deep into the genetic factors that drive cancer, examining how they contribute to its development. By combining genetic insights with lifestyle risk factors, her team develops risk assessment tools that provide more accurate cancer risk predictions.

But their work does not stop there. Effectively communicating cancer risk to the community is just as crucial. By translating their findings into practical and accessible information, they empower individuals to make informed screening decisions, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.

Beyond genetics, Dr Mei Chee is also leading studies on diet and cancer prevention. Her team explores dietary components like soy and tocotrienols, investigating their potential role in reducing cancer risk. Through her work, she hopes to provide evidence-based strategies, enabling people to take charge of their health and lower their cancer risk.

After a long day in the lab, you will likely find Dr Mei Chee unwinding by swimming or enjoying good food. Her love for food has even inspired her to master the art of cooking and baking. She is also an avid traveller and proudly shares that she has visited every state in Malaysia. Whether in the kitchen, on the road or in the lab, her curiosity and passion for discovery never stop!

Dr Loo Yen Chi, Postdoctoral Scientist

When it comes to food, we often ask: Is it spicy? Is it sweet? Is it nice? But for Dr Loo Yen Chi, the question is much bigger: Can what we eat help prevent diseases like cancer?

That curiosity led her to become a nutritionist, and today, as a postdoctoral scientist at CRMY, she studies how nutrition and natural products may influence breast cancer risk, breast density and immune function, the key indicators of cancer risk.

“Many people think cancer is about family history, but the path to cancer prevention can start on our plate, where diet plays a huge role too. By understanding how certain nutrients help to lower cancer risk, we can empower people to make better choices for their health.”

Her journey into science started with a simple interest in health and nutrition, but it grew into something bigger. A mission to help people make informed choices that could reduce cancer risk and improve overall well-being.

One of her key research areas is to explore how different forms of vitamin E, such as those in palm oil, can help reduce breast cancer risk. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but their role in cancer prevention is still being explored.

She also dives deeper to understand how these antioxidants can affect breast density and immune function, the mechanisms behind cancer development. With ongoing research into different food components, her work could lead to simple, everyday changes that strengthen the body’s natural defences.

When she is not working, Dr Yen Chi has a passion for performing arts. Whether it is scriptwriting, singing or acting, she enjoys using storytelling to connect with people. She is also an experienced emcee, bringing energy and enthusiasm to events.

And when she is not on stage, you might find her jogging. Another way she stays active and clears her mind.

Join the Fight Against Cancer

If there is one thing we have learnt, it is that cancer does not happen overnight. It develops over time due to a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. That is why timely diagnosis is just as important as treatment. By identifying those at risk and understanding how lifestyle influences cancer, we can develop strategies to stop it before it starts.

With Dr Tai Mei Chee and Dr Loo Yen Chi joining the Support Our Scientists (SOS) campaign, we are taking another step forward in saving lives through early detection. At Cancer Research Malaysia, we are working towards a future where cancer prevention is accessible, screening is personalised and fewer lives are lost to a disease that could have been prevented.

With your support, we can continue funding groundbreaking studies like the MiSO study, bringing us closer to a future free from the fear of cancer. But science does not fund itself. Every donation to the SOS campaign fuels our researchers’ work, helping us find real, practical ways to detect cancer early and prevent it before it even starts.

Research needs funding. Scientists need support.
Donate today and be part of the fight against cancer.