“I never wanted to be a veterinarian or a pharmacist. My fascination with human anatomy led me to medicine—but it was my father’s battle with colon cancer that led me to oncology. When we had to fly him to Singapore for treatment, I realised how few oncologists there were in Malaysia. That was when I knew: this was where I was meant to be.

Oncology is challenging, but also deeply fulfilling. While we don’t hold the scalpel, we wield one of the most powerful tools—radiotherapy. Medicine evolves rapidly; what I learned last year is already outdated today. But that’s what makes it exciting. I’ve also found that my personality is well-suited to this field—resilient, analytical, and always learning.

One thing I learned from Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith Grey is that a patient’s pain is not your pain. But in oncology, the emotional weight is always there. I was fortunate to have incredible female consultants in the UK who showed me how to balance career and family. They taught me that every choice comes with sacrifices, and you have to know what matters most.

If I hadn’t had a family, I might have gone further in my career—but coming home to my children reminds me that the sacrifices are worth it. As the only daughter and a middle child, I grew up fiercely independent, with parents who supported my dream—especially my father. His memory and what he endured as a cancer patient continue to motivate me every day.

Inequality in the workplace still exists, even if subtly. As women, we have to think of pregnancy almost like a business decision, timing it around our careers. Balancing work and motherhood is not easy, but I’ve learned that success doesn’t have to be perfect. Know your values, stand by them, and trust that the path you choose will be worth it.”

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate women around the world together.