Staying Aware, Staying Strong: Why Early Breast Cancer Detection Matters for Women

Awareness of your body is vital, as it empowers you to notice any changes or abnormalities early on. We spoke with Joanna Dong, singer and actress, about her breast cancer journey. Her vigilance in observing changes and taking quick action to address her concerns led to a less invasive treatment path. What kind of breast health issue did you face?  I was diagnosed with stage 1 hormone sensitive breast cancer. How did you discover it?  I went to see my breast specialist because I noticed some discharge from my right breast. MRI revealed blood pooling in breast ducts on both breasts, and my surgeon suspected DCIS (stage 0 breast cancer) at first, but the biopsy revealed that whilst I did not have cancer in my ducts, there was an incidental finding of a 7mm cancer tumour in the excised tissue adjacent to my right breast ducts. What was your biggest revelation after you were diagnosed? I realised that medical science has come a long way in breast cancer surgery, reconstruction, and treatments in the last two decades. I have a few friends who’ve lost their mothers to breast cancer when they were little, but today the survival rate is so much higher, especially when you discover it early like I did. What is one thing you wish you knew before you started treatment? The internet is a double-edged sword. It helped me learn more about my condition, but sometimes too much information without proper context and expertise can also be overwhelming. There were definitely moments when I had read something online and went on an unnecessary anxiety spiral, before meeting with my doctors who calmly and patiently addressed my concerns. What has the journey of dealing with or managing this issue been like for you?  I was very fortunate that my surgery was minimally invasive, and that I did not have to undergo chemotherapy (only 8 sessions of radiation therapy). It was very manageable, and I honestly experienced relatively little physical discomfort throughout the whole process. Most of the challenge was in dealing with the psychological and emotional stress, and that’s where I am proud of the efforts I had made over the years in strengthening my mental health, and building strong relationships with my husband, family, and friends who have been amazing in supporting me. Before this happened, what was your attitude toward breast health?  I do believe the public health campaigns have paid off, and I was already pretty well-informed about the importance of mammograms and self-checks. I am really grateful, because thanks to this awareness, I was observant of changes to my breasts, and caught the cancer early. Did this journey change that attitude?  If anything, I think my personal experience with breast cancer has prompted me to be more vocal about breast health issues, in the hopes that more women will benefit from early detection like I did. What do you think women in general feel about breast health?  It really depends on which generation of women you are speaking with. I think younger generations are much more comfortable discussing breast health, but for older generations, breasts are still somewhat taboo to talk about, and that’s totally understandable because the cultural norms were different for them. As an entertainer, I have a lot of older fans, so I felt compelled to speak more openly, in the hopes of de-stigmatising the topic for them. What are your thoughts when it comes to general awareness/education in this area?  I think in general we understand much more about breast health now than before, but there are still many misconceptions regarding the specific treatments and procedures. For example, I didn’t realise that not every patient with cancer needs to go through chemotherapy, or that breast reconstruction techniques are so varied now. However, I am not sure it is necessary for the general public to know too many details either, because the treatments are constantly evolving and improving as well, and by the time the public learns about it, the information might already be irrelevant. What is essential and urgent for everyone to know, is that early detection saves lives. What advice would you give women about breast health? It is not our breasts but our resilience that truly define us as strong and beautiful women. Let’s take charge of our own health! Staying breast aware and keeping up with regular screenings can provide peace of mind. Remember, not all abnormalities indicate cancer. Let Solis & Luma provide the reassurance you need. Schedule your mammogram today.
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From Preparedness to Reality: A Survivor’s Perspective on Breast Cancer

There are two types of people: (a) those who meticulously plan every detail of their lives, and (b) those who plan only what is necessary and handle the rest as it comes. As someone who understands the importance of breast health, Carmen Loh conscientiously practices breast self-examination (BSE) and maintains her yearly scans. The nature of her job also meant she was financially prepared for any future eventualities. However, nothing could prepare her for the moment she received her breast cancer diagnosis. In this issue of Best Advice from women, for women, Carmen shares with us the importance of planning for contingencies, especially when you are healthy and symptom-free. What kind of breast health issue did you face? I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Inflammatory Breast Cancer in October 2022. How did you discover it? I started noticing some rashes on my left breast in September 2022, which I initially thought would disappear with some rash cream. However, the rash persisted and within the next 2-3 weeks, my left breast began to harden, reminding me of the time when I last breastfed my two daughters. Feeling uneasiness about these symptoms, I decided to schedule an appointment with a breast surgeon to clarify my doubts. What was your biggest revelation after you were diagnosed? The biggest revelation was realising that, despite yearly checks, having no family history of cancer, breastfeeding my two daughters and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with BMI 18, I actually knew nothing about breast cancer. Breast cancer was the last thing I ever thought would happen to me. What is one thing you wish you knew before you started treatment? I wished that I had been exposed to more real-life stories and journeys of cancer survivors, similar to mine, as it would have equipped me with more mental preparedness. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the unwavering support from my doctors and team, who demonstrated remarkable patience, expertise and kindness throughout my journey. What has the journey of dealing with or managing this issue been like for you? Prior to receiving the results on 14 October 2022, I thought I was mentally prepared. However, when my doctor announced the results straight to my face, I was totally taken aback and overwhelmed with mixed emotions. The first thought that crossed my mind was “am I going to die soon, or how much more time do I have?” as my two girls were then 3 and 5 years old. I was absolutely clueless on what was coming next due to the fear of uncertainties that lay ahead of me. The journey has been a roller coaster due to the side effects of chemotherapy. However, I am managing well mentally and emotionally with the support from my loved ones, family and friends. Before this happened, what was your attitude toward breast health? I understood the importance of not taking breast health or overall health for granted. Did this journey change that attitude? No, it did not. This journey has reaffirmed what is still important e.g. to have regular breast checks, and also to have both medical and critical illness insurances so you can be well covered for medical bills in times of need. My financial burden was eased because I had such plans. What do you think women in general feel about breast health? I think there are a lot of myths and perceptions about breast health that women in general have. They do not really know enough to have themselves well-equipped with the knowledge of pre- and post-cancer situations e.g. family history risks, eating too much red meat, alcohol & smoking etc. What are your thoughts when it comes to general awareness/education in this area? I think we can do a lot more to educate and to help support more women so that they are more empowered if cancer happens to them, or to someone close to them. A lot more should be done in helping women emotionally and financially before cancer strikes, as there is very little that can be done after. What advice would you give women about breast health? All women should go for yearly checks, especially mammogram (choose 3D as less painful vs 2D) and constantly monitor themselves. Do not delay treatment if you have any symptoms and be mentally prepared, in case cancer happens, whether at an early or late stage. Always ensure you and your loved ones are well-covered financially by planning with a trusted financial consultant while you are still healthy and without any pre-existing conditions. Coincidentally, I am both an insurance agent and a breast cancer survivor. When diagnosed, reality can hit so badly that you wished you could live differently if given a second chance in life. People often say YOLO, You Only Live Once, but the truth is YODO, You Only Die Once, and you live every day! This applies to cancer as well; since it is a critical illness, you can only claim from insurance once upon diagnosis. As I am no longer eligible to buy such plans, I am on a mission to share my journey and help others while they still have the chance. Life is full of surprises and while there are many things beyond our control, we can still take the effort to equip ourselves with the knowledge and understanding of our own body and its changes. Consult a breast surgeon if you are unsure about any breast lumps, bumps or pain, or feel anything abnormal.
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Diet and Breast Cancer: Navigating your relationship with food during cancer treatment

If you have breast cancer, what should you eat? Is there any food to avoid? Is there something you could do when food becomes unappetising? Patients may experience a changing relationship with food. Here are four tips that may help. 1. Manage Eating Problems While cancer treatments sometimes make it challenging to eat or drink, you need additional calories and protein for wound healing and recovery after treatments like breast surgery [1].To manage eating difficulties such as appetite loss, nausea, and changes in their sense of taste or smell that make tasty food unpleasant [2] [3], try the following [2] : Eating smaller amounts more often instead of large meals Eating foods that are easy on the stomach e.g. bananas and rice Keeping easy-to-carry snacks for when you feel like eating, e.g. granola bars Changing the form of foods e.g. turn sliced fruit into smoothies Sipping only small amounts of liquids during meals, as eating and drinking simultaneously may make you feel bloated Choose foods that appeal to you and do not force yourself to eat food that makes you feel ill Eating well can help you regain strength and improve how you feel after completing treatment. Here’s how you can do that [2]  [4]. : Freeze portions of soups, curry, stews and other dishes for times when you do not have the time or energy to cook Prepare simple, easy-to-make meals that you enjoy. Ideally cook more than you need so that you cook once and eat twice Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins, minerals and fibre 2. Consult your doctor before making drastic dietary changes Advice from well-meaning friends and family on what to eat can be overwhelming. While it may be tempting to follow them, it is important to consult your doctor first. You may be considering fasting or wish to avoid eating certain foods that you have been told may worsen the cancer. These fears are rarely true and limiting your food intake has the potential to slow down recovery from cancer treatment and leave you feeling tired and weak [5] If you wish to take vitamin or mineral supplements, check with your doctor or dietitian before doing so, as they may affect how your body copes with treatment [5] [6]. Unproven advice to follow special diets to cure or control your disease, such as cutting out a food group or taking high-dose supplements need to be considered with caution [5]. Following unproven diets may do more harm than good. 3. Be Kind to Yourself You may sometimes feel overwhelmed by friends and family around you who want you to eat more or bring you homecooked favourite meals [7]. Help them to help you by asking them to cook meals you have the appetite to eat. It is times like this when practising self-compassion is essential. You may have both good and bad days when it comes to what you can stomach [2]. Do not feel pressured to eat food from others, as forcing yourself to eat may make you feel worse. Share how you feel with your loved ones. You may worry about upsetting them but having them listen to you may help alleviate the anxiety and distress you have about eating [7] . 4. Make Eating Enjoyable Again For many, eating is a social activity and should be enjoyable [7].Having eating problems and anxiety surrounding what foods you can eat can sour your relationship with food. Try making mealtimes as pleasant and relaxing for you as possible. Cook and eat together with loved ones, try new recipes, play music or even brighten up your dining table with flowers [2] [8]. Eating your favourite foods when you feel well will allow you to enjoy eating and avoid associating these foods with feeling sick [2]. . It can be hard to think positively about eating whilst battling cancer, but food should be seen as necessary fuel to nourish and energise the body instead of being a source of stress and worry. The breast cancer journey is difficult, and worrying about what to eat and how to eat makes things even more burdensome. Give yourself grace during this period and consult your doctor about dietary concerns. If you require further support, Club Solis is a support network for Solis patients to meet, connect and heal together. References [1] American Cancer Society, Managing Eating Problems Caused by Cancer Treatments [2] National Cancer Institute, Eating Hints: Before, During and After Cancer Treatment [3] Relationship between food perceptions and health-related quality of life in a prospective study with breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy [4] American Cancer Society, Can I Do Anything to Prevent Cancer Recurrence? [5] Cancer Council NSW, Common Questions About Nutrition and Cancer [6] Macmillan Cancer Support, Healthy eating and cancer [7] Cancer Research UK, Your feelings about diet problems [8] Cancer Society New Zealand, Eating well with cancer
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