Finding joy in exercise during cancer treatment

Hong Eng at the Great Wall of China in 2024. After battling 4 lung and metastatic brain cancers, she believes that regular exercise helped with her recovery. (Credit: Mdm Lee Hong Eng)

In 2016, 38-year-old homemaker and mother, Mdm Lee Hong Eng, developed a persistent phlegmy cough, breathlessness and back and shoulder pain that lasted over two months. But even after multiple visits to the GP and several courses of antibiotics, her symptoms did not improve. 

At her mother’s urging, Hong Eng visited a polyclinic for a chest X-ray which showed she had shadows in her lungs. She was immediately transferred for further care to Changi General Hospital, where blood tests, CT and MRI scans showed that both her lungs were filled with fluid and that she had a tumour the size of a fist in her right lung. There was also cancer spread to her left lung and spine.

A biopsy of the fluid and lymph nodes confirmed that Hong Eng had stage 4 lung cancer. Her doctor explained that patients with such advanced cancer typically live around three years.

“Because I don't smoke or drink, I thought it was pneumonia or tuberculosis. I never thought it could be cancer! As I was alone, I asked the doctor to call my husband to break the news to him. I couldn’t bring myself to say the word ‘cancer’ to him,” she recalled.

Using exercise to stay positive during treatment

Hong Eng underwent chemotherapy every three weeks for six months, followed by a year of chemotherapy as maintenance. She experienced side effects such as nausea, severe fatigue and constant discomfort. 

However instead of staying home, she forced herself to leave the house for light exercise, starting with five-minute walks downstairs, accompanied by her helper. “I was very weak, but I was determined to start exercising again. And that small step helped me feel like I was in control again,” shared Hong Eng. 

“Exercise is a powerful tool that helps patients regain a sense of empowerment, manage treatment side effects, build stamina, lift their mood and support recovery. It can also increase survival rates and improve quality of life,” said Assistant Professor Amit Jain, Senior Consultant, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and lead of the exercise programme under the Lung Cancer Education and Advocacy for Patients (LEAP) support group offered at NCCS.

Making progress, one step at a time 

Members of the LEAP support group on a night walk among the beautifully lit attractions at Gardens by the Bay in September 2025 to raise awareness for lung cancer. 

Hong Eng’s five-minute walks slowly became 30-minute strolls with friends. She started playing badminton occasionally with her family and joined the LEAP support group. Through LEAP, which Hong Eng’s husband also joined, she participated in nature walks held at various locations such as the Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, and Punggol Waterway. The bimonthly walks helped build her strength and stamina, and provided an opportunity for her to connect with other patients and caregivers.

In 2019, a routine scan revealed 11 small lesions in her brain. Although devastated, Hong Eng chose to persevere and underwent gamma knife radiosurgery and targeted therapy. The treatment caused side effects, including numbness, joint swelling, weight gain and high cholesterol levels. She also experienced cognitive difficulties such as forgetfulness, slurred speech and confusion. Despite these challenges, Hong Eng continued exercising after she completed treatment. She joined the LEAP support group on their bimonthly outdoor walks, ate healthily and practised portion control.

“The LEAP walks at the nature parks were therapeutic for both the body and mind. Being surrounded by greenery, breathing fresh air and sharing the path with people who understood what I was going through really helped me get through this period,” said Hong Eng. 

Members of the LEAP support group during their walk at Coney Island in October 2025.

“When patients join support groups like LEAP, they find a community that truly understands their journey. This connection helps combat the isolation that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis, whilst offering practical guidance for managing treatment and side effects. As they journey together, they are more likely to stay motivated and stick with healthy habits. Combined with regular physical activity, patients can experience remarkable benefits,” said Dr Amit.

Getting back on her feet

Today, Hong Eng still receives targeted treatment and her condition is stable. She remains active by swimming and walking and has recently picked up playing table tennis in weekly sessions with her husband. 

“Table tennis is a fun, low-impact sport that trains your reflexes, agility and eyesight! And I think I’m getting better at it,” she laughed.

"Hong Eng's progress from five-minute walks to swimming and table tennis shows that small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in both physical health and quality of life,” remarked Dr Amit.  

Hong Eng stays active with weekly table tennis sessions with her husband. (Credit: iStock.com/yongklet)

Hong Eng has gone back to working full-time as an operations manager at an IT company. Grateful for the support of the community and her medical team, she credits exercise as a key part of her recovery. 

“Start small and slow, because even five minutes is better than doing nothing. One day, you’ll realise you’ve gone further and are stronger than you think,” she advised.

To join the exercise interest group #lungcancerwillnotkeepmedown, lung cancer patients can e-mail leap@nccs.com.sg