2010 Media Releases

2008 Media Releases

NCCS celebrates world cancer survivors day

Friday, 25 Jun 2010

Singapore, 25 Jun 2010 – To honour all who have fought a hard battle with cancer, the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) will host a day of fun and adventure for cancer survivors, including their families, friends and the healthcare providers at the Singapore Zoo on Saturday, 26^th June 2010 from 8.30am to 1pm.

“I Can Survive” – Zoomanji Adventure is a major outreach programme held in conjunction with the World Cancer Survivors Day that is celebrated in June annually.

The event not only serves as an opportunity for cancer survivors to meet and spur each other to live better but to also to equip them with the knowledge of doing so as individuals like Mr Ezzy Wang, an epitome of survivorship, will share his own story and some tips on challenging negative thoughts.

Being told that one has cancer could be very devastating but it is certainly not debilitating unless one allows it to be.

Dr Yap Swee Peng, acting Director for Public Education and Patient Support Unit at NCCS who co-chairs this event, said: “The road to recovery for every cancer patient is never an easy one and the effect can be profound. While we applauded cancer survivors for their bravery, we should not forget the critical role that their families and friends played.”

Take the example of Ms Hu Jing, who in April 2004 saw a doctor for a growth in her tonsil which was not painful but was growing in size. A biopsy revealed that she had Burkitt’s lymphoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. The news was a shock to Ms Hu, then 26 years, who works in the healthcare industry.

Problems can sometimes arise, even between close and loving couples. Ms Hu’s then boyfriend of five years could have left her but did not. Instead, he accompanied her to each and every of her chemotherapy sessions which lasted six months. Three years later, they were married.

“The fear of relapse is very real and planning for a future that is uncertain is difficult. But instead of dwelling in it, I read extensively on the disease to learn more about it. Having a strong faith in religion and a supportive family helps alleviate the fear too,” said Ms Hu, a new mother who delivered a baby girl in March this year.

Another case is that of then 25-year-old Mr Lim Choon Hoe who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue shortly after he graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2002. He underwent surgery to have half of his tongue removed but suffered a relapse two years later which took another half of his remaining tongue away. Mr Lim also had to go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It takes time for cancer patients to adjust to physical changes caused by surgery and it is natural that they want to hide the scars or disfigurement from the people around them.

“I felt very conscious initially as I grappled with speaking difficulties and the way I look. I had just started work when cancer hit me and could not understand why it happened to me. However, I’m thankful for the supportive family, colleagues and friends I have to see me through the darkest period of my life,” said Mr Lim, who works as a system administrator recently married his girlfriend of seven years whom he met after his cancer diagnosis.

“Most cancer patients have no problem moving on with their lives but those with depression or poor family support, etc may have difficulty doing so,” said Dr Yap.

“It is important that cancer patients and survivors get an opportunity to speak openly about their feelings and sometimes a support group can be helpful.”

For more information on our support group programmes, please call 6436 8117 or e-mail: mss@nccs.com.sg.

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