What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer Awareness
What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the most common female cancer in Singapore, accounting for 25% of cancers diagnosed in women. It starts with a malignant (cancerous) tumour that forms when breast cells start growing abnormally. This abnormal cell growth is caused by cells dividing […]
All You Need to Know About Liver Cancer
The liver is a critical organ in our body that supports metabolism, assists in digestion and synthesises various components for our body’s immune system and blood clotting factors. It also aids in detoxification of certain chemicals from our body. 1. What is the Prevalence of Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)?Cancers in the liver can be divided […]
8 Steps to Lower Cancer Risk
The association of lifestyle and cancer risk is worthy of our attention. Comprehensive studies by the American Institute of Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund estimated that healthy diets, together with regular physical activity and appropriate body mass, could potentially reduce cancer incidence by 30 to 40 per cent. At current rates, on […]
H1N1 in Cancer Patients
Cancer patients are potentially at greater risk of acquiring an H1N1 infection as well as developing complications from the infection. Any patient with serious chronic diseases such as kidney failure, chronic obstructive lung disease or cancer is at risk, as the underlying disease weakens the immune system. However, patients with cancer currently receiving treatment with […]
Maiming Won’t Ensure A Cure
Ms JK, a Chinese woman in her 40s was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. First to hit home was the shock of her diagnosis of breast cancer. Then followed the relief from knowing that the diagnosis was made at an early stage and that surgery with conservation of her breast was a possibility. Finally, came the […]
Cancers Don’t Take Holidays
As a member of the European Society for Medical Oncology, I attended the annual conference of the society held in Vienna in September this year. After the conference, I took the opportunity to have a short holiday in Prague and Budapest. Both Prague and Budapest are lovely cities, steep in European history and culture. I […]
Doc Talk: Thank you
Depressing. This is the commonest description given by others for my job nature as a cancer doctor. As an oncologist, I look after patients with cancer. The more fortunate amongst my patients are diagnosed with cancer when the disease is still in its early stages. Many are cured. Nonetheless, they had to go through the […]
Doc Talk: That antioxidant story
“One of the purported benefits of green tea is that of its antioxidant property possibly playing a role in the reduction of cancer risk,” I said in Mandarin, as the cameras rolled on. I tried to stay focused as curious onlookers peered through the wide glass windows of the temporary film studio. But alas, my […]
Causes and Signs of Cancer
The current understanding of what causes cancer is not complete and there is no single exact cause of cancer. Like many diseases, cancer develops gradually as a result of a combination of environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors. Tobacco Smoking tobacco, using smokeless tobacco, or being regularly exposed to second-hand smoke causes up to one-third of […]
What is Cancer
There are over 100 different types of cancer. Each is named by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer harms the body when mutated, or altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps […]
