L&L Talk on Breast Cancer

Today, we have a lunch talk on Breast Cancer in our office. October month is also marked as the "Breast Cancer Awareness Month".

The guest speaker is Ms Koh Chieng Mun, a BCF (Breast Cancer Foundation) member and local celebrity. Most famous in her acting role is the heartland housewife Dolly in the TV sitcom "Under One Roof"....

Chieng Mun was diagnosed with breast and kidney cancers in 2005. She underwent an 8 hour operation in November 2005. This was followed by 6 months of radio and chemotherapy in the 1H of 2006. In April last year, she was given the all-clear, as the last cancer scan and blood test showed no cancerous cell.

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Singapore women and about 1100 women are diagnosed with the cancer annually (an average of 3% per year). 1 in 5 cancers occurring in Singaporean women is breast cancer and about 270 died from this disease each year. Women of all age groups are affected (even as early as 16 years old) but its more common in women above 40 years old. The incidence is even highest in women aged 55-60.

The only preventive measure is to screen yourself as regular as possible. The most easiest method is self examination (1) Laying on the bed or (2) In front of the mirror or (3) In the shower, pressing down with 3 middle fingers to check if there is a lump...., others would be:-

* Self examination once a month

(aged 20-39 years; aged 40-49 years; and aged 50 years & above)

* Clinical breast examination by a healthcare once a year

(aged 40-49 years; and aged 50 years & above)

* Mammogram

(aged 40-49 years; and 50 years & above is a must)

According to BCF, if detected and treated early enough, breast cancer need not result in death. Early detection can help save lives and breasts. To protect ourselves against breast cancer is to practise healthy lifestyle, maintain good diet, limit alcohol intake, exercising, beware of the symptoms and screen ourselves as regular as possible.

So, when we are healthy, we are happy!!!