The risk of breast cancer increases with age – in fact, more than 80 percent of the cases in Singapore affect women who are 45 or older. Which is why when teacher Chen Zhi Chun was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 26, she was at a loss...
The risk of breast cancer increases with age – in fact, more than 80 percent of the cases in Singapore affect women who are 45 or older. Which is why when teacher Chen Zhi Chun was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 26, she was at a loss...
“I am not defeated; I am a victor against the odds.”
My lifestyle in my twenties was relatively healthy. I didn’t smoke or drink. I exercised regularly and maintained my weight in the healthy range. I rarely took medical leave and had no family history of cancer.
That’s why I was surprised when I first felt a hard lump in my right breast in February 2010. I discovered it when I was taking a shower, and then I did a self-examination. I went to see a GP but it got dismissed as a menstrual lump. About half a year later, it felt like the lump was growing and it hurt when I applied pressure, so I went to a polyclinic and got referred to the KK Breast Centre. After an ultrasound, a mammogram and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer.
When I first heard my diagnosis, I broke down. I was devastated! I thought ‘why me?’. I’m 20 years younger than the average breast cancer patient, I had been eating right, never smoked, and hardly drank. I was engaged and about to get married. I was so worried about the medical bills.
My older sister was the first to know as she had accompanied me to the doctor’s. She broke down with me. Then I called my then-fiancé (now husband) to break the news to him. He was very calm and composed. He helped me go over the treatment options, and even called up insurance companies to enquire about coverage and claims.
David and I were planning for our wedding to be in June 2011, but we postponed it to September that year. It was just after all my chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, but we didn’t want to postpone the wedding further. David and I were ready to get married, so there was no point in waiting.
We kept the wedding simple – it was a church ceremony followed by a lunch reception. We did away with the wedding banquet as our families were concerned about my health.
While most brides are worrying about table settings in the lead up to their weddings, I was undergoing chemotherapy and a mastectomy. It definitely affected me, especially as a bride. I couldn’t have the wedding hairstyle I dreamed of, because my hair was really short then. I had to wear a wig on my wedding day. My gown, on the other hand, wasn’t a big issue as I had a prosthesis breast.
We had a beautiful wedding in spite of the physical challenges. A close friend even commented that it was the wedding of the year, mainly because of what David and I went through as a couple.
But unfortunately, it wasn’t quite the happily ever after we may have hoped for. About a year later, I received confirmation that my cancer had relapsed. I had felt a pain in my left leg earlier, but it didn’t occur to me that it could be caused by cancer, so I spent a few months going for chiropractic and acupunture treatments before telling my oncologist about it. I was told that the cancer had metastasized and spread to my left pelvic bone. Once again, I was completely thrown by the news.
I was a secondary school teacher then, and I had to quit teaching. And I would have liked to have children after getting married, but because I was still fighting cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, my oncologist advised against it.
The toughest part about my battle with cancer is definitely chemotherapy. The drugs caused me to lose my hair. I went bald and had to wear a wig. I also vomited a lot, to the extent that I would throw up whatever food I ate or water I drank. I had to be admitted because of that. I even had “anticipatory” vomiting, meaning it was psychological. I would throw up the minute I stepped into the hospital. I developed mouth sores, which made eating really painful.
I sought strength in my relationships during this trying period. Firstly, there was my husband. He accompanied me on all of my chemo sessions, settled insurance- related matters, prayed with me and found ways to cheer me up. I can’t thank him enough for all he’s done for me. Secondly, there was my family. They really took care of me, cooking nutritious food, spending time with me, and making juices to reduce the side effects of chemo. Thirdly, my church members and friends. Last, but not least, the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), where I met all of my BCF sisters who greatly inspired me. The organisation empowered me to be a warrior against my disease. There are people at the BCF who are cancer survivors of 10, 15, and even 20 years! It reminds me I am not defeated, I am a victor against the odds.
Here’s something that would come in helpful if you know someone who has cancer: instead of telling us what not to eat, tell us what’s good for us. It can be very frustrating when people tell us what foods to avoid, even if it comes from a good place, because we end up with this long list of forbidden foods and then we’re left wondering what we can actually eat. Enjoying food is essential to have a good quality of life. You need to stay happy and have sufficient nutrients to fight the battle. I like what my oncologist told me – to have everything in moderation.
The biggest lifestyle adjustment I’ve made is to go to bed earlier. I used to get 4 to 5 hours of sleep, but now I get in bed before 11pm and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Sleep is extremely important, because it helps your body to heal.
I’m now working with the BCF and giving back to the community. I went through counselling training to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to befriend fellow young breast cancer patients and survivors. I share my own experiences with them, and hopefully, that will encourage them in their own battles.
“The chemotherapy and mastectomy affected me, especially as a bride.”
Text Sophie Hong.
