The breast cancer survivor making sure no one fights alone

In August 2026, cancer survivors walked the runway at Fashion for Cancer, a charity fashion show that raises funds for cancer research. Among the models strutting the catwalk at the Westin Singapore was 42-year-old civil servant, Nurhana Abdul Ghani, a breast cancer survivor who received treatment at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), who has made it her personal mission that no breast cancer patient should ever feel alone.

A diligent self-breast examiner 

Cancer was the last thing on 33-year-old Nurhana’s mind, so when she discovered a lump during a routine self-check, she assumed it was harmless. (Credit: Nurhana Abdul Ghani)

About nine years ago, Nurhana discovered a small lump in her right breast during a routine self-examination. She’d had a benign breast lump removed when she was 16 years old, so she was no stranger to self-checks, but that same history led her to assume the new lump was harmless too and could be ignored. Within three months, when she noticed that the lump had grown, she went to her neighbourhood polyclinic and was referred to a hospital for further investigations. A second lump was detected under her right armpit, and in September 2017, scans confirmed that Nurhana had Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

A mother first

As a single mother, Nurhana's first thought when she was diagnosed was: "What's going to happen to my kids?" As the sole caregiver for her nine-year-old daughter and two-year-old son, her priority was to get through treatment and recover for them. She also wanted to make sure her children felt secure and did not feel her absence. 

Nurhana’s treatment schedule was adjusted so she could be present with her children, particularly during school holidays. Here they are on holiday in South Korea during a short break in between chemotherapy sessions. (Credit: Nurhana Abdul Ghani)

She shared these concerns with her oncologist, Professor Rebecca Dent, Senior Consultant in the Department of Breast and Gynaecology, Division of Medical Oncology at NCCS. Nurhana underwent a mastectomy of the right breast without reconstruction, followed by 16 cycles of chemotherapy over nine months. Her treatment schedule was adjusted so she could be present for her children, particularly during school holidays. Her chemotherapy sessions were timed on Thursdays so she could rest over the weekend and return to work on Monday.

Despite this flexibility, Nurhana experienced challenging side effects such as nausea, hair loss, conjunctivitis, a persistent metallic taste, and at one point, nails that turned black.

"Experiencing these side effects scared me, I wish I had someone who had been through it before who could tell me it was normal and that everything would go back to normal after treatment," Nurhana shared. 

Some of the side effects Nurhana experienced during chemotherapy was hair loss, conjunctivitis, and a persistent metallic taste. (Credit: Nurhana Abdul Ghani)

The village that carried her through

When she was at her lowest, Nurhana’s family and friends rose to the occasion to help. Her elderly parents managed mealtimes and took her children to school. Her aunt and friends ensured she always had someone to accompany her to appointments at NCCS, where her nurses were cheerful and encouraging. Her colleagues would cheer her up and kept her mind off her illness.

It was also during this period that Nurhana reconnected with a childhood acquaintance, who soon became someone special.

"I warned him that I was sick and that it was not a good idea to get involved with me, but he was so supportive that I let my guard down and began to rely on him," she said.

By the time Nurhana rang the bell marking the end of her final chemotherapy session on 5 June 2018, her life had transformed. She had gotten married during treatment, was cancer-free, and knew that she was not alone.

Turning her experience into advocacy 

"While I had a whole village journeying with me, that did not mean it was easy," Nurhana confessed. "I struggled with side effects and body image, and I wished I had a community of women going through the same thing who I could share these struggles with." 

Nurhana became a volunteer with the Breast Cancer Foundation as she hopes to encourage more Malay-Muslim women to get screened. (Credit: Nurhana Abdul Ghani)

After completing treatment, she joined Breast Cancer Foundation as a volunteer and has since been actively involved in outreach, which includes teaching women how to perform breast self-examinations. She even joined a dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors after she learned about it through the Foundation!

Nurhana is particularly motivated to reach out to the Malay-Muslim community, as she knows that breast cancer screening rates are low and the stigma of the disease can be a barrier to women seeking timely help. She hopes that by serving as an advocate, she can help to lower those barriers and encourage more Malay-Muslim women to proactively get screened.

Walking the runway 

Nurhana was introduced to Fashion for Cancer by a friend who had participated in 2025 and knew about her advocacy work.

"I didn't know anything about modelling, but I thought it was a good platform to represent my community and raise funds for a good cause," she said.

The experience proved to be both positive and eye-opening. "I've had a chance to meet survivors of different cancer types, not just breast cancer, and learn about their journeys, struggles and successes. I am so inspired by the determination and willpower of my fellow models." 

Nurhana lighting up the runway at Fashion for Cancer 2026. (Credit: Fashion for Cancer)

Supermum of three

After her turn on the runway, Nurhana returns to her roles as civil servant, breast cancer advocate, and mother of… three! 

On 5 June 2018, Nurhana completed her last chemotherapy session (left). Exactly one year later, she welcomed her son into the world and brought her newborn and son to meet the doctor who helped make it possible, Professor Rebecca Dent (right). (Credit: Nurhana Abdul Ghani)

Her eldest daughter is now 18, her son is 11, and her youngest boy who was conceived four months after she completed chemotherapy is 7. Though Nurhana had experienced amenorrhea (an absence of menstrual periods) after undergoing chemotherapy and was not sure if she could have more children, she gave birth on 5 June 2019, exactly one year after her last chemotherapy session.

"I was so happy that I took my miracle baby to meet my medical oncologist, Prof Dent, after he was born!"

Today, Nurhana lives with stronger purpose, driven by a desire to help others and to show her children that nothing is impossible and that true strength comes from within.

Fashion For Cancer 2026 supports the NCCS Cancer Fund which provides financial assistance for patients in need, cancer education, training for medical professionals and cancer research aimed at making treatment breakthroughs. To donate, visit the event’s Give Asia page here.