NCC takes pride in research and innovation

NCC researchers and clinicians excel in the recent SHS Scientific Meeting (15-17 October 2004) for their oral presentations and posters. Our congratulations to the following winners in their individual categories.

Best Medical Oral Papers
Head of Oncologic Imaging, Dr James Khoo, presented a paper on computer-aided automated tumour volume measurement. The NCC Oncologic Imaging team, in collaboration with the National Technology University, developed a robust method for automated image segmentation of tumour from MRI images (based on seed growing, region deformation, and knowledge-based fuzzy clustering methods) to facilitate volume measurements. It is envisaged that when this tool becomes widely available, volume measurement will be the standard practice for monitoring tumour response. Volume measurements provide better indication of tumour load compared with diameter measurements.

The study is also published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology (2004 May 1;59(1):59-66, and in Radiology (2004 Jun;231(3):914-21).

Another award winner researcher Saddique Monowrul Mobin from the Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, has studied the significance of p53 polymorphism in carcinogenesis in breast cancers in Chinese and Indian populations in Singapore. The genetic polymorphism may explain the differences in metabolism of some drugs in different individuals. These findings would have far reaching impact in cancer treatment therapies, drug prescriptions and in early detection.

Best Allied Oral Health Papers
Principal Radiation Therapist Donald Khoo’s paper on ‘Patient Safety Intervention in Radiation Therapy’ addressed the importance of patient safety in the delivery of radiation therapy. A retrospective study was done to review the Centre’s incidence rates. Factors such as the impact of technological systems, documentation, data-entry and preventive measures were considered. The department will study how it can exploit the features of the current system, streamlining work processes for efficiency and accuracy and constantly strive towards providing top-notch radiation therapy and treatment for NCC’s patients.

NCC Outreach Activities in the region
Through the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN), NCC hopes to reach out to countries in the Asia Pacific region. The APHN is a network of individuals and organisations involved in the development and provisions of palliative care services in Asia Pacific region. NCC funds one-third of the operation costs and hosts the secretariat of the APHN, which is a registered charity. Its mission is to provide support for individuals working in palliative care in the region where many services are at an early stage. It brings trainers from countries with more developed palliative care services to work with staff in less developed countries. It also helps plan clinical attachments and fellowships to established hospice services. Other activities include the series of Asia Pacific Hospice Conferences (APHCs), the 6 th APHC being planned for Seoul in March 2005, and the 7 th APHC for Manila in 2007.

NCC staff APHN Executive Director Dr Rosalie Shaw (extreme left) and Dr Cynthia Goh, (second from right) with Dr Nguyen Ba Due, (second from left) Director, National Cancer Institute, Hanoi, during the Singapore International Foundation feasibility study to run Train-the-Trainers courses in palliative care in Vietnam.