Dato’ Saunthari Somasundaram is President and Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) and Co-Chairperson of NCD Malaysia, with more than two decades of experience in cancer control and noncommunicable disease (NCD) policy. She has played a central role in advancing cancer prevention, patient support, and civil-society engagement in Malaysia, while advising the Ministry of Health on integrating NCDs into universal health coverage frameworks.
Dr. Saunthari is the NCD Alliance President-Elect and serves on the board of the City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can), having previously served on the Board of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). She is also active in tobacco control through national expert committees and collaborations with WHO and IAEA. In recognition of her public service, she was conferred the title Dato’ by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, Malaysia.
The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have helped shape current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership and education. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Influential People in Oncology in 2025 and stay tuned for the results of special category nominations to be announced.
