The Heart Behind the Scalpel: Professor Dr. Nur Aishah’s Lifelong Commitment to Patients
- UM Research
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Professor Dr. Nur Aishah Binti Mohd Taib
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
Area of Expertise:
Breast Health> breast surgery> genetic counselling and testing> implementation research> qualitative research> advocacy.
From Medical Student to Surgeon: The Making of a Healer
Professor Dr. Nur Aishah Mohd Taib has dedicated her career to transforming the way breast cancer is diagnosed, treated, and understood in Malaysia. A senior consultant breast surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Universiti Malaya, she currently leads the UM Cancer Research Institute, where she continues to push the boundaries of research and patient care.
A Journey of Knowledge and Compassion
Her journey began with an MBBS from Universiti Malaya in 1995, followed by a Master of Surgery in 2001. She broadened her clinical expertise with a sabbatical at Hospital Putrajaya in 2005 and a clinical observation stint at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and MD Anderson Cancer Centre, USA in 2008/2009. Recognising the need for a holistic approach to patient care, she pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling from Charles Sturt University in 2010, and later, a Doctor of Medicine from UM in 2011 for her landmark mixed-method study on why women present with advanced breast cancer.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Surgeons
Her commitment to education is evident in her mentorship of future surgeons and researchers. She has supervised eight PhDs, eleven Master of Science (research mode) students, and twenty-three Clinical Masters candidates, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled clinicians and researchers. As a trainer for the Master of Surgery programme and an examiner for the Breast and Endocrine Surgery Subspecialty exit viva, she plays a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s surgical training ecosystem. She is also the lead educator of the Future Learn course “Mainstreaming Genetic Testing for Cancer Treatment” and a key trainer for the REBUNG Cancer Care in Primary Care Short Course, which equips primary care providers with essential knowledge for early detection and care coordination.
Research That Redefines Cancer Care
Prof. Dr. Nur Aishah’s research contributions are as prolific as they are impactful, with over 240 publications and an H-index of 37. Her work is closely tied to improving patient outcomes and access to care. She is the principal investigator of REBUNG (Reducing Barriers in Cancer Early Diagnosis in Urban B40 Group), a pioneering implementation study funded by UM and city council grants to improve early cancer diagnosis among underserved communities. The project’s success has been recognised with multiple grants and awards, including the UICC Early Breast Cancer Grant and the Openlearning Global Innovation Award in 2023 for its online course. She also leads UM’s involvement in the international TARGIT-B trial on intraoperative radiotherapy and co-leads ENPHaSIS, which explores survivorship care planning for breast cancer patients.
Championing Advocacy and Access for All
Her advocacy work is equally inspiring. She was instrumental in Greater Petaling’s successful designation as a City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) city, leading multidisciplinary team capacity building for breast cancer care that resulted in a best-practice document endorsed by the Ministry of Health. She continues to champion health system coordination and cancer care digitalisation while serving as President of Together Against Cancer (2023–2025), a Malaysian NGO committed to improving cancer outcomes nationwide.
Nationally and internationally, Prof. Dr. Nur Aishah’s contributions are recognised through her fellowship with the Malaysian Academy of Medicine, her role as council member of Breast Surgery International, and her past leadership positions with the College of Surgeons of Malaysia.
Humanising Cancer Care, One Patient at a Time
At the heart of her work lies a deep commitment to humanising cancer care. Whether she is in the operating theatre, guiding a PhD candidate, or addressing policymakers, her vision is clear: to reduce disparities in cancer care and ensure that every Malaysian has access to timely, effective, and compassionate treatment. Prof. Dr. Nur Aishah’s journey is one of relentless dedication, combining clinical expertise, research excellence, and advocacy to transform the landscape of breast cancer management in Malaysia.
#BreastCancer #BreastHealth #BreastSurgery #CancerTreatment #CancerCare #PersonalisedCancerCare #CancerAdvocacy #CommunityHealth #UniversitiMalaya #UMResearchers #UMCancerResearch #B40Communities #REBUNG
Researcher featured:
Professor Dr. Nur Aishah Binti Mohd Taib
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03- 79493642
Author:
Ms Puungkodi Paramasivam
She is a fast-track PhD candidate at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, who finds solace and purpose in writing amidst the challenges of academic research. This is her third contribution to the UM Research Bulletin, a platform she values for showcasing groundbreaking work while allowing her to channel her creativity. Writing, she says, serves as a positive distraction from the demands of her PhD journey, enabling her to engage meaningfully with diverse fields of study. Proud to be an author under the UM Research Bulletin, Puungkodi continues to highlight innovative research and inspire others with her thoughtful narratives.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Comments