Campaign By National Cancer Centre Singapore To Focus On Quality Of Productive Life Despite Cancer
Monday, 28 May 2007

Singapore, 28 May 2007 - To increase the public’s association of cancer with survival, fulfilment and empowerment, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has developed innovative programmes and activities under its flagship “I Can “ campaign, which runs from June to November 2007.

For the first time, the Centre will use music therapy sessions for pain management. Led by trained US certified music therapist, patients with recurring cancer will learn how to manage pain through music therapy interventions. In addition, they will also learn how to cope with cancer-related stresses, go through visualisation exercises, improve communication and develop a musical collage. Patients do not need musical experience to benefit from the programme.

Director of NCCS Prof Soo Khee Chee said, “Art remains a powerful means of communicating the aspirations and joy of our cancer survivors and caregivers. We need to continually galvanise support of each survivor’s immediate family and the larger community. On this day, I’m glad that medical and research professionals can unite in giving health, knowledge and hope to those fighting the disease.”

At NCCS Department of Psychosocial Oncology, there has been a 10-fold increase in programmes offered as part of the Centre’s comprehensive cancer care. Each year the department provides 2100 psychosocial counselling sessions related to cancer.

With greater awareness and recognition of the importance in this field, there has been a steady 10 per cent rise in the cases handled by the department. “At NCCS, we acknowledge that coping with cancer is more than fighting the disease physically. These innovative programmes help meet the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors and help them to achieve a quality of life,” said Mr Gilbert Fan, Manager, Dept of Psychosocial Oncology, NCCS.

“Compared to the past, there isn’t as much of the stigma attached to cancer and patients are actively seeking help to emotionally and mentally cope with the disease,” added Mr Fan.

The celebration of life proved powerful and triumphant as cancer survivors, along with family and friends joined fellow survivors in a sunset cruise held in conjunction with World Cancer Survivor Day.

Co-Chairman of the CanSurvive Committee 2007 Dr Tan Min Han said, “ With advances in cancer treatment and research, cancer patients can learn to cope with the disease and enjoy quality of life. Family support is key to the patients’ well-being.”

This year more than 200 cancer survivors, together with their families and friends, are going for a cruise to launch the World Cancer Survivor Day.

Apart from the cruise, NCCS is also organising an inaugural art exhibition to depict in pictures the story of strength and survival of cancer patient. Entitled “I Can Walk On Sunshine”, the event will showcase photographs of cancer treatment – Past, Present and Future. Through digital print, the inaugural exhibition will inform the community of different advances that have contributed to this trend in some cancers and celebrities will host the interactive activities that come with the photographic exhibition.

The exhibition will be held at the lobbies of corporate offices around Singapore. Because art has the ability to reach out and transform the stigma of cancer to a culturally non-threatening force, this mode was a primary consideration in the campaign, which also features the Centre’s Arts for Health volunteers.

About World Cancer Survivors Campaign
This year, another 10 million people around the world are expected to be diagnosed with cancer – and this number is expected to reach 15 million by 2020. According to projections by the World Health Organisation, the number of new cancer cases in Asia will increase by more than half to 7 million by 2020. However, as technology advances and better prevention/early detection techniques are developed, many more will survive this disease.

About the Campaign
3 Messages – “I Can”

I can Partner
Caregivers, volunteers and donors can partner with those battling cancer by giving support in many different ways.

Health Forum: Cancer Prevention With Food & Fitness 30 June 2007
(HDB Hub) HDB Convention Centre, Basement 1 Auditorium
Prevent cancer and find out the role of fitness from the experts. Chinese: 9.30am - 12.30pm / English: 1.30pm - 4.30pm. Registration closes by 28 June 2007.

“I Can Walk on Sunshine” 18 - 22 July 2007
Inaugural Photographic Art Exhibition with Interactive Activities
Marina Square Shopping Mall, Level 2 Linkbridge Atrium
Visit the cancer pavilion with artistic photographs and catch interactive action by celebrities on the 21 st and 22 nd July. Join Arts for Health volunteers and psychotherapists in activities that bring healing to the body, mind and soul.

Health Forum: Seminar on Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer (for the Workplaces) 24 July 2007
NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard Level 7 Auditorium
Know the enemy, get cancer-wise and understand how simple steps can protect you from liver cancer.

Health Forum: Integrating Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Cancer Care 22 September 2007
(HDB Hub) HDB Convention Centre, Basement 1 Auditorium
From the experts, find out about complementary & alternative medicine (CAM), a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are presently considered as non-traditional medicine. Which CAM therapies are proven to be safe and effective? Which have been used as new approaches to health care? Find out more.

United Against Cancer - Hill of Hope 6 October 2007
Scale Mt Faber and have a 1st ever national celebration on the hilltop transformed into a fairyland of glow lights and artistically crafted light sticks. In a show of support for the fight against cancer, join doctors, researchers and NCCS’ multidisciplinary team as they scale up the hill. Catch concert with musical variations and a capella adaptations of Josh Groban’s “You Raise me up” on the harp flute and guitar. There will be sharing and a tribute to cancer supporters at The Jewel Box. This inspirational hillscape will be visible all the way from Sentosa.