Taylor’s University, through its Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab, marked a significant milestone in the nation’s battle against cervical cancer with the introduction of the groundbreaking PapLite Pro™.
The innovation aims to enhance cervical screening by making it less invasive and more efficient. It addresses barriers such as the fear of discomfort and improves the visualisation of the endocervix, leading to enhanced precision for cell sampling and convenience among women and medical practitioners.
During the launch, a panel of leading experts shared valuable insights into the current landscape of cervical cancer screening. They emphasised the critical role of early detection in improving treatment outcomes and enhancing quality of life. The event also spotlighted the impact of technological advancements like PapLite Pro™, and the importance of collaborative strategies involving the government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations in advancing health outcomes.
“The all-in-one Pap smear innovation eliminates shadows cast by the hand of the healthcare professional to better visualise the cervix. It is also ergonomically designed for improved ease of collecting sufficient cervical cells from the correct area of the cervix, resulting in accurate diagnostic test results compared to conventional Pap smear tools” said Professor Dr Chong Pei Pei, the Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab Director, and a Professor at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at Taylor’s University.
The event also presented a Pap test simulation at Taylor’s Virtual Online Future Technology & Extended Reality (VORTEX XR) Lab. This unique experience showcased the differences between conventional Pap tests and PapLite Pro™, highlighting its innovative features and benefits.
“In Malaysia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44. In 2020 alone, there were 1,740 new cases reported, with a mortality rate of 57%. These alarming figures are largely due to challenges like cultural stigmas, invasive screening techniques, patient preferences, and lack of awareness, all of which hinder the progress of cervical cancer screening uptakes.
PapLite Pro™ represents a potential game-changer in cervical screening for healthcare professionals, offering a more technologically advanced version for enhanced visualisation and precision of cell sampling ,” said Dr Kavinash Loganathan, Research Coordinator at the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
The launch of PapLite Pro™ brought together industry partners, medical professionals, researchers, and advocates to advance women’s health through innovative technology.
In her welcome speech, Dr Thian Lok Boon, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Learning & Teaching at Taylor’s University mentioned, “Taylor’s has embarked on a journey to be a purpose-driven university – and we do it through our education, research and advocacy. The implementation of purpose-led learning across all our schools saw us introducing 11 Impact Labs. Each Impact Lab consists of solution-focused transdisciplinary teams of academics, industry, and students, collaborating to bring meaningful ideas to life. Our commitment to address societal challenges and bring change to various communities is embodied within Taylor’sphere.”
For more information on PapLite Pro™ and to learn more about Taylor’s Impact Labs, please visit this site.
