I had no symptoms but my breast cancer was detected early

It is hard to imagine that the energetic and cheerful Mdm Oh Cheng Hoon, will be 60 in two years’ time. The active 58-year-old volunteers as a befriender, juggles Zumba and yoga sessions, and also attends steel drum, salsa dancing and ukulele classes.

Mdm Oh is able to do all this because as a breast cancer survivor, she lives by a simple motto to make every day count.

Mdm Oh (right) at a salsa performance with friends in September 2025 (Credit: Mdm Oh Cheng Hoon) 

It started with a bloody discharge

One day in her 30s, Mdm Oh was alarmed to discover that her left nipple was bleeding. She sought medical attention at Singapore General Hospital where an ultrasound revealed there was an enlarged duct. Mdm Oh underwent surgery to remove the affected duct and recovery was smooth.

“After that I followed my doctor’s advice and did regular breast self-examinations, annual mammograms, ultrasounds and blood tests,” shared Mdm Oh.

More than 20 years later, in April 2024, Mdm Oh felt a small lump in her left breast during a routine breast self-examination. She went for an ultrasound scan, but as the lump was too small to be clearly identified she was advised to return for another ultrasound in six months.

“The lump was small and painless”

When Mdm Oh returned for an ultrasound scan in October 2024, scan results showed that the tumour had grown and a biopsy confirmed she had stage 1 breast cancer.

“I was shocked as I didn’t feel any symptoms and have no family history of cancer. My husband and children comforted me and said that since my cancer was detected at an early stage the chances of recovery were high,” recalled Mdm Oh, who has two children in their 20s.

According to the latest Singapore Cancer Registry report, breast cancer is the most common cancer among females, with over 13,900 women diagnosed between 2019 and 2023. The positive news is that despite the increase in incidence, more than 75% of cases were diagnosed at early stages.

“When detected early, breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. Regular mammogram screenings enable early detection which can increase the chance of successful treatment and survival, reduce the aggressiveness of treatment required and improve overall quality of life for those diagnosed,” shared Clinical Assistant Professor Faye Lim, Senior Consultant, Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and Mdm Oh's radiation oncologist.

“The lump was small and painless, so it could have been easily missed. I realised how things might have been much more serious if I had skipped my regular breast self-examinations and mammograms," said Mdm Oh.

Early detection = less aggressive treatments + fewer side effects

Mdm Oh and her husband on a holiday in Norway in December 2024 (Credit: Mdm Oh Cheng Hoon) 

Mdm Oh's doctor recommended that she either undergo a mastectomy or a lumpectomy, followed by radiation therapy. She opted for a lumpectomy, as the tumour was small, and the procedure would be less invasive with quicker recovery time. She recovered well after surgery and in December 2024, went on holiday to Norway with her family.

Unfortunately, a follow-up scan in the same month revealed that there was cancerous tissue in Mdm Oh’s left breast and she underwent another surgery to remove it.

After the surgery, Mdm Oh went back to work as a community health coordinator, but as she experienced fatigue and still had to undergo radiation therapy, she decided to stop working to better focus on her treatment and recovery. In February 2025, Mdm Oh completed five sessions of radiation therapy at NCCS and only experienced minimal side effects such as skin dryness and discolouration. She is now on oral hormone medication to prevent cancer recurrence.

Why regular cancer screenings matter

The Health Promotion Board of Singapore recommends that women aged 40 to 49 have annual mammograms, and women aged 50 and above go for a mammogram once every two years.

"During a mammogram, firm compression of the breast helps to produce high-quality images and reduces radiation exposure. While there may be some discomfort during the compression, it only lasts a few seconds and we want to assure women that the entire mammogram process only takes about 30 minutes in total,” explained Clin Asst Prof Lim.

“To minimise discomfort, I tell patients to avoid scheduling mammograms during their menstrual period, or the week before when breasts are tender, and consider taking a painkiller an hour before the mammogram if needed."

Mdm Oh and family celebrating her son's birthday in January 2025 (Credit: Mdm Oh Cheng Hoon)

With her cancer now in remission, Mdm Oh faithfully goes for annual mammograms. Encouragingly, her friends have also been inspired to do the same. Her daughter is also more conscious about her breast health and does regular breast self-examinations.

“I’m glad that my experience has encouraged the women in my life to take charge of their health and would urge all women to prioritise regular breast screening too,” shared Mdm Oh.