Cancer is a condition in which the division of cells is uncontrolled and may infiltrate the surrounding tissues or even migrate to distant organs. Such uncontrolled cellular reproduction in turn causes life-threatening conditions and ultimately, death. These conditions are usually caused by mutations found in genes controlling cell growth. These mutations may later be passed on to future generations through genetic inheritance.

Hence, if you were to mention the term “cancer” to the man in the street, and it usually conjures up the idea of a medical death sentence which is usually discovered when it is too late. The estimated cancer incidence in Malaysia is about 150 for every 100,000 population, among them, the more prevalent forms are that of breast, lung and colon. Studies by the International Agency of Research for Cancer have shown an increasing trend in the incidence of cancer.

However, with the ever-increasing advances in the medical field, cancer is now a condition with improved prognosis if it is diagnosed at an early stage. In some cancers, such as breast and colorectal, there are certain predisposition tests which may help identify the risk of having cancer before it actually occurs. There has been compelling evidence to show that cancers develop progressively from normal to cancerous tissue, generally due to changes in the genetic makeup of some cells. The occurrences of such conditions is thought to be partially dependant on the genetic make – up of an individual and different forms of cancers have been noted to be more prominent among different social and racial groups. Hence, there is a need for genetic data among Malaysians to be collated to provide for more the possibility of more efficient genetic diagnosis and also for novel methods in formulating cancer treatment.

The Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) has been in operation since its official launch in October 2002. . It is a non-profit organization which functions as a genetics lab devoted to the study of the molecular biology and genetics of cancer in Malaysia. The Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation is committed to an understanding of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment through a fundamental basic research programme. Their single-minded devotion to the fundamental research in cancer is ground-breaking, being currently the only independent NGO wholly focused in cancer research in this manner.

In its commitment towards the understanding of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, CARIF is in close contact with many organizations in Malaysia and abroad. These include the hospitals under the Ministry of Health such as Hospital Kuala Lumpur, University Malaya Medical Centre, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Sarawak Biodiversity Centre , University Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) whereas CARIF’s international collaborators include University of Birmingham, National University of Singapore, Texas A & M University, University College London, University of Bristol, the National Institute of Health (USA) and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

With such close cooperation with scientists of local and foreign caliber, CARIF aims at opposing the devastating impact of cancer in Malaysia and the region. As is their motto, “Creating hope through science”.