Dr. Yap Yoke Yeow

Menurut Dr Yap, difteria ialah sejenis penyakit berjangkit serius yang disebabkan bakteria yang menyerang membran mukosa hidung dan tekak. Difteria sering menyebabkan sakit tekak, demam, kelenjar leher bengkak, dan lemah badan. Gejala paling ketara ialah lapisan kelabu yang melekat pada tekak dan saluran pernafasan yang boleh menyebabkan kesesakan nafas. "Punca difteria ialah sejenis bakteria basilus gram positif yang bernama Corynebacterium diphteriae. Strain atau jenis-jenis bakteria tersebut mengeluarkan racun jenis yang berbahaya, berbanding dengan jenis-jenis tidak berbahaya yang sering ditemukan di tekak dan hidung. Ujian makmal untuk mengenal pasti bakteria ini mesti juga membezakan jenis beracun dan jenis tidak berbahaya.

Dr. Yap Yoke Yeow is the Committee Members of the Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngologists-Head & Neck Surgeons (MSO-NHS). The MSO-NHS acts as the only voice for the ENT surgeons in Malaysia in forums with the government and other NGOs.

Dr. Yap Yoke Yeow is a member of Specialty Subcommittee in the field of Otorhinolaryngology, representing Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, AMM.

Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgeons president Dr Yap Yoke Yeow said NPC was one of the most treatable cancers. Dr Yap said 70% of NPC patients were diagnosed only six months after the first symptom was noticed and treatment was delayed due to lack of awareness of its early symptoms. For this reason, the society and the Health Ministry recently started a nationwide campaign to increase the awareness level on NPC and other head and neck cancers such as oral, laryngeal and pharyngeal.