Having previously been diagnosed with hepatitis C, the 35-year-old sales advisor from Kuching was hoping for a clean bill of health.
Instead, doctors found that his white blood cell count had risen rapidly. The results came as a shock.
He was referred to a local general hospital, where he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a slow-progressing blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.
CML accounts for about 15% of all leukaemia cases and often develops quietly, with few symptoms early on. Treatment typically involves tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) – targeted therapies that block the abnormal protein driving the disease.
“When the diagnosis was confirmed, I felt shock, fear and confusion. I was healthy, active, and had no known family history of leukaemia. I kept asking myself, ‘How could this happen?’” Azizul recalled.
“I was even planning to get married. Suddenly, I was wondering if all that would still be possible.”
Today, Azizul’s life looks very different. After faithfully following his treatment and recovery plan, he is now cancer free, married, and a father of three.
To mark his recovery, Azizul set himself an ambitious goal – to complete a half-marathon. With his doctor’s approval, he began slowly with 3km runs before building up to 5km, 10km, 15km, and eventually 21km.
“It was a very long journey, and it wasn’t easy for me to complete the run,” he told FMT Lifestyle.
“But that was my drive: to finish and inspire others, especially those who are newly diagnosed – that I, a leukaemia patient, can do half-marathons. As long as you commit to your medication and listen to your doctors,” he stressed.
Getting there was far from easy. In the early days of treatment, Azizul faced serious setbacks and was unsure if he would survive. At one point, he was hospitalised and even required a wheelchair.
Over the course of his illness, he lost about 30kg and struggled with mobility – a particularly difficult adjustment for someone who had once been active and enjoyed sports and running.
The turning point came when his doctor reassured him that, with proper treatment and monitoring, many people with CML have a life expectancy similar to those without the condition.
Understanding his illness helped him see it as something he could manage, and even move forward from.
Even so, challenges continued. During Ramadan, his treatment required strict discipline, including fasting before and after taking his medication.
For three consecutive years, Azizul carefully adjusted his routine: waking early to eat, delaying meals after breaking fast, and planning his day around prayer times to ensure he took his medication correctly.
“Luckily, my parents were very supportive. They encouraged me to follow the doctor’s instructions and treatment plan, and made sure I never skipped my medication,” he said.
He also found support through the Max Family Society Malaysia, a patient advocacy group for individuals with CML and other rare cancers. Meeting others at different stages of their journey gave him reassurance and helped him better understand what was possible.
After four years of consistent treatment and monitoring, Azizul achieved treatment-free remission in 2022, allowing him to pause TKI therapy under medical supervision.
He remains under regular monitoring and continues to do well.
Over time, Azizul has regained confidence in his physical abilities, and now hopes to take on an even bigger challenge – completing a full marathon.
“For me, finishing the half-marathon was symbolic. Just like treatment, you won’t reach the finish line without discipline and commitment.
“When people think of leukaemia, they may see it as a fatal disease, but that’s no longer true. With your doctor’s help, and support from friends and family, you can get through it,” he concluded.