MSD and the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia have introduced the country’s first Lung Cancer Immunotherapy (IO) Treatment Diary, designed to guide patients through diagnosis and treatment. The diary offers practical tools to track symptoms, understand side effects, and communicate effectively with medical teams, empowering patients to take an active role in their care while aligning with Malaysia’s WHO lung health resolution.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
Kuala Lumpur, November 12, 2025 – Building on Malaysia’s commitment to lung health, MSD and the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia (LCNM), launched the country’s first comprehensive Lung Cancer Immunotherapy (IO) Treatment Diary.
The IO Treatment Diary is designed to help lung cancer patients understand their diagnosis, learn about their treatment options and take an active role in their care journey.
The launch represents a direct response to World Health Organization (WHO) resolution on “Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach”, championed by Malaysia in May 2025.
DIARY PROVIDES PRACTICAL SUPPORT
“Malaysia’s WHO resolution signals serious commitment to improving lung health outcomes,” said Dr Abdullahi Sheriff, Managing Director of MSD Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. “By working closely with LCNM, we’ve developed a handbook that directly enables lung cancer patients to enhance their patient journey in receiving cancer treatment with IO.”
What the Diary Does
The IO Treatment Diary provides patients with educational resources and practical tools to understand:
- How this treatment works
- What to expect during their journey
- How to communicate effectively with their medical team
The diary was developed through a collaboration between a multidisciplinary team of Malaysian lung cancer specialists from LCNM and MSD to create a resource that addresses real patient needs.
Inside the Diary
The diary includes:
- Weekly symptom tracking pages with visual indicators for affected body systems
- Educational content explaining how cancer treatment works in plain language
- Side effect recognition guides showing warning signs for different organs
- Space for questions to prepare for doctor appointments
- Contact information pages for medical teams
- Progress rating system to track overall well-being
Benefits of Using the Diary
“This IO Treatment Diary helps to complete the continuum of lung cancer care”, said Dr Tho Lye Mun, Clinical Oncologist and President of Lung Cancer Network Malaysia.
- It puts patients in control, helping them become active partners in their care rather than passive recipients.
- When patients understand their treatment journey and can communicate effectively with their healthcare team, the outcome can relatively improve.
“Any type of cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and confusing for patients,” said Kol Bersekutu (PA) Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Managing Director of National Cancer Society Malaysia. “NCSM welcomes this effort and is ready to support it by distributing the diary to patients within our network.”
| Your Lung Cancer IO Treatment Diary will be distributed free of charge to lung cancer patients at participating hospitals and clinics nationwide. Healthcare professionals can request copies for their patients through LCNM. The digital version can be accessed here (link opens in a new tab). |
| This is a press statement issued by MSD. It has been edited for clarity. |
