#AskMeAnything: Too Much Sugar Causes Breast Cancer? | Breast Health Myths Debunked

Having a breast lump means I have breast cancer? Breast cancer causes pain in the breast? There is so much information about breast cancer that many of us may be misinformed. This can lead to unnecessary consequences such as fear or even seeking treatment too late. Watch our very first #AskMeAnything video where Dr Tang Siau-Wei, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon debunked common myths about breast health and breast cancer. Myths Debunked: Myth 1: Having a breast lump means I have breast cancer Myth 2: Breast cancer causes pain in the breast Myth 3: The older a woman is, the lesser the chance of breast cancer Myth 4: Consuming too much sugar causes breast cancer Video reviewed by Dr Tang Siau-Wei, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery Centre.
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Getting To Know Dr Tan Yah Yuen

Get up close with our breast specialists and hear more from them on their philosophy for patient care and interesting personal anecdotes. “I enjoy doing my work because it is not static – we are always looking at new and better ways at treatment, doing less to achieve more, and ultimately improving patients’ outcomes and quality of life.” Dr Tan is our Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon practicing at Solis. She is a key opinion leader in her field and is actively involved in the training of breast surgeons in the region. Q. Why did you choose to become a breast surgeon? During my surgical training, I opted to sub-specialise in breast surgery because as a woman, I felt I was able to relate and empathize with the patients better. Breast cancer treatment also involves multiple disciplines, a lot of interaction and discussion with colleagues such as radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, genetic counsellors and more, and the science behind breast cancer is fascinating and constantly evolving. I enjoy it because it is not static, we are always looking at new and better ways at treatment, doing less to achieve more, and ultimately improving patients’ outcomes and quality of life. Q. Share with us a patient’s story that left a deep impression on you There are countless stories of my patients that have become unforgettable memories for me. A handful are sad stories – when the patient comes at a terminally ill stage due to fear of treatment at the beginning. But most memories are wonderful and encouraging stories of courage and faith in battling cancer, and of triumph year after year when they return for reviews in the pink of health and with a zest of life! These patients constantly inspire us to improve cancer care, from screening to diagnosis, to surgical techniques and multi-disciplinary care. Q. What is ONE myth or message that you would like women to know about breast cancer? Breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers and many women continue to lead fulfilling lives after treatment, sometimes even better lives! The key is early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, women who have worrying symptoms of breast cancer should not fear coming forward to seek treatment. Surgical outcomes are getting better all the time, including breast reconstruction. Chemotherapy is also often not required especially in early stages. Hence, it is important that women consult a doctor early and it may make all the difference! Q. What do you do during your free time? I enjoy the outdoors – currently my go-to weekend activity is hiking and my favourite place is MacRitchie Reservoir where I used to jog. I have tried my hands at table tennis, dragon boat racing, kayaking, diving, tennis and marathons during different phases of my life! Regular exercise is important because it reduces the risk of various cancers including breast cancer. When at home, I explore different cooking recipes especially desserts! Q. What do you think you will be doing if you didn’t become a breast surgeon? My first ambition as a young child was to be a fireman (or firewoman)! This was after watching a thrilling movie where the fireman saved many people stranded in a burning skyscraper. When I grew older, I realized that I enjoy working with my hands, so if I didn’t become a doctor I would probably try something like woodwork or metal work, although I am not sure if I am artistic enough! Article contributed and reviewed by Dr Tan Yah Yuen, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery
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Getting to Know Dr Lee Wai Peng

Get up close with our breast specialists and hear more from them on their philosophy for patient care and interesting personal anecdotes. “As a woman playing multiple roles in my life (whether a daughter, a sister, a wife or a mother), I feel that I can better understand and relate, and give them (patients) sound and professional advice.” Dr Lee Wai Peng is a Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon and she specialises in treating benign and malignant breast conditions. Prior to joining Solis, she was a Senior Consultant and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Changi General Hospital (CGH), a position she grew into following the completion of her advanced specialty training in general surgery in 2014. She strives to provide holistic and individualised care with a personal touch for ladies with breast conditions and is a strong advocate for encompassing cosmesis with surgical therapy. Q. Why did you choose to become a breast surgeon? My interest in surgery first started when I was in my teens and I had been watching dramas (imagine ER and other local or Hong Kong TVB dramas) of surgeons operating and patients getting better immediately after. This fascination continued during my medical student and internship days where I could see how surgery healed patients, and the immense gratitude that the patients have for their doctors. Being a woman, I feel that I could relate so much better with other women who were facing breast health issues, and hence, I decided to choose breast surgery. Patients’ symptoms and the reason to seek help and even their choice of treatment are greatly influenced by the people around them – it also depends on the stage of life they are at and problems that they might be facing at that time. As a woman playing multiple roles in my life (whether a daughter, a sister, a wife or a mother), I feel that I can better understand and relate, and give them sound and professional advice. Q. Share with us a patient’s story that left a deep impression on you I had a patient who came to me with a breast lump found in one of her breasts which eventually turned out to be breast cancer after further evaluation. During our consultation, she was extremely depressed and was facing many issues at home. She had to support her children, her husband had passed away from a heart attack, and she was estranged from her own family (i.e. her mother and siblings) during such difficult times. She almost didn’t want to have any treatment for her cancer. With encouragement from myself and my team of nurses, she came forward to seek treatment. We even managed to get her family to rally and support her during her treatment period and helped her to take care of her children. Their relationship improved eventually and they have been eternally grateful to us. They called it “blessing in disguise”. Q. What is ONE myth or message that you would like women to know about breast cancer? Breast cancer can happen to anyone and any woman. Every woman has a chance of developing breast cancer. You don’t have to be a smoker, drinker or leading an unhealthy lifestyle to get breast cancer. No family history does not mean that there is no chance of getting breast cancer. Q. What do you do during your free time? I used to love to do outdoor sports such as running and cycling. I also took up yoga. Travel has always been something I look forward to, especially for that mental break from work. However, with covid (pandemic turning to endemic), I have learnt to treasure my loved ones and now I look forward to spending my time with them. I recently found the interest to do more research work on breast cancer and have been spending quite a bit of time on it. Q. What do you think you will be doing if you didn’t become a breast surgeon? If I hadn’t been a breast surgeon, I think I would want to be an educator and work with pre-schoolers. After having two kids of my own, I have seen how innocent their minds can be and how much the world can amaze and “wow” them. Article contributed and reviewed by Dr Lee Wai Peng, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery
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