Every eight minutes, someone in Sweden is diagnosed with cancer. Yet it is a topic that many would rather avoid. It is precisely this silence that oncologist Robel Malki has decided to break—and he does so with a combination of medical expertise, warmth, and a sense of humor rarely associated with hospital corridors.

Robel Malki has just released his new book , *That Disease: On Cancer and Everything Related to It*, published by Bonnier Fakta. The book answers questions about what cancer actually is, what treatments are available, and how lifestyle and diet can affect the risk of developing the disease. Malki debunks common myths, explains what terms like “increased cancer risk” mean, and offers a glimpse into the future of cancer research. But what sets this book apart from a medical handbook is its tone: with warmth, humor, and compassion, complex concepts are explained in a way that is both moving and empowering—without requiring any prior medical knowledge.

From the diaspora to Södersjukhuset

By the time Robel Malki was five years old, his family had already fled two countries before finally settling in Sweden. Anxiety was ingrained in the family—anxiety about not being granted asylum, not finding work, or not fitting in and being accepted. But it was through knowledge and the courage to dream big that he defied the odds. Today, he is a specialist in oncology at Södersjukhuset in Stockholm.

In interviews surrounding the book launch, Malki emphasizes that cancer is still a difficult topic to discuss because it is so strongly associated with fear, suffering, and a sense of loss of control. He believes that greater openness and knowledge can reduce anxiety and help both patients and their loved ones better cope with a diagnosis.

Social media as a knowledge platform

In addition to his book, Malki has built a significant presence on social media. His short Reels, in which he appears in his role as a doctor, garnered a huge response, and cancer patients soon began following him. Today, he has over 37,000 followers on Instagram. Among other things, he has appeared as a “summer doctor” on TV4. It is rare to see an Assyrian voice reach such a wide audience in the Swedish media.

Malki has made his mark on the literary world before. His 2021 children’s book *Helaneh and the Enchanted Forest* follows siblings Edessa and Tobil on a magical adventure—with Assyrian names and references woven into the story. For many Assyrian children in Sweden, it was a rare opportunity to see themselves reflected in a Swedish children’s book.
That Disease: About Cancer and Everything Around It by Robel Malki is available from Bonnier Fakta and online bookstores such as Adlibris.