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Healthy Breasts for Life and the ‘East-Meet-West’ Approach

It is important to detect any abnormalities early as breast cancers are the most common cancer among women, both in Singapore and worldwide. 1 in 13 women in Singapore will get breast cancer in their lifetime. It is also an integral part of women’s health and wellness to take special care of their breast health. Hence, having healthy breasts for life should be an essential commitment that women should pay attention to.Dr Lim Siew Kuan, our Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon sheds light on this quick-fire Q&A and tells us why women should take charge of their breast health.Q: Is there a specific age group who falls under the “extremely important” to have regular check-ups done?A: Women after the age of 40 should get their breasts checked as the incidence of breast cancer increases after that.Q: Just like any other cancer, ‘breast cancer’ are two dreadful words. What are the chances of survival and are there any pre-care and prevention tips?A: Though it is the most frequently diagnosed female cancer, the survival and cure rates are one of the highest amongst the cancers. There is an immense amount of ongoing research, and many recent advances in the field. Generally, more than 80% of breast cancers are curable, and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the cure rates. From the age of 18, women should be breast aware and do regular breast self-examinations on the 7th – 10th day of the menstrual cycle. Women should consider and discuss with their doctor regarding starting mammogram screening from the age of 40. Women above the age of 50 should have mammogram screenings done twice a year.Q: We would love to know how the amalgamation of western medicines and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices like acupuncture help in breast care or breast cancer?A: In the treatment of breast diseases and breast cancer, Western medicine is certainly still the standard of care. TCM is a useful complement in many ways. Acupuncture can alleviate perimenopausal symptoms which may result from breast cancer treatments, eg. nausea, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, as well as chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.TCM herbs can also be useful in helping patients maintain and/or regain their health and wellbeing. However, it is important to only go to registered TCM practitioners.Q: There’s a huge mental trauma associated with breast cancer. Are there any ‘remedies’ to alleviate this emotional and physical challenge?A: It is important to have social support from family, friends, and other breast cancer survivors. Patient and caregivers need to be educated in terms of knowledge about the disease and follow-up care so that they will become empowered to fight the cancer.From the breast surgery perspective, we want to minimise psychological impact and trauma on the patient by optimizing cosmetic outcomes while removing the tumour. Using oncoplastic techniques, breast conservation rates are increased, even in cases of larger tumours. In the event that mastectomy is required, options of full breast reconstruction are available so that the patients find it easier to resume her previous active lifestyle.Article contributed and reviewed by Dr Lim Siew Kuan, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & SurgeryArticle also published on Rainbow Dairies: https://rainbowdiaries.com/2022/07/breast-care-faqs-with-dr-lim-siew-kuan-of-solis-breast-care-centre.html
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Getting to Know Dr Lim Siew Kuan

Get up close with our breast specialists and hear more from them on their philosophy for patient care and interesting personal anecdotes.“Doing a biopsy on a cancerous breast lump helps in diagnosis and planning of the subsequent treatment, and does not cause the cancer to spread. A biopsy also will not cause a benign lump to change into cancer. This is something important that I wish to address and help more women to understand, and that there is nothing to be fearful of if a biopsy procedure has been advised.”Dr Lim Siew Kuan is one of our Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeons at Solis. She has a special interest in breast surgery and manages both benign and malignant breast conditions. Prior to joining Solis, Dr Lim was practicing at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore.Dr Lim recently received her Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture in 2021 and became a registered acupuncturist with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board. Being schooled in the TCM theory and diagnostics, she is able to see both Western and Eastern perspectives in patient treatment and hopes to use acupuncture as a complement to improve the general well-being of her patients.Q. Why did you choose to become a breast surgeon?I like general surgery as a whole. However, breast surgery is a specialty that tugs my heartstrings and makes me feel having the connection with the women community. Majority of women still prefer to see a female breast specialist when they experience any breast health issues. As a woman myself, I can relate and understand a woman’s life better and they play many roles – they are a daughter, a wife and a mother. Modern women now have busy lifestyles and spend more time caring for their loved ones and even their extended family but often neglect their own health (e.g. breast health)Q. Share with us a patient’s story that left a deep impression on youMany patients have left deep impressions on me, each with their unique life stories.But if I were to mention any, it would be a recent middle-aged lady who presented with locally advanced Stage 4 breast cancer. She had noted the breast tumour for several years, but was afraid to undergo treatment. By the time she came to me, she required ICU admission with ventilatory support, and was already in multi-organ failure. Yet, the tumour biopsy showed a breast cancer type that would have responded very well to treatment, had she come in earlier.It is really sad to see such cases in Singapore. We are a medical hub, with all the advanced cancer treatments readily available in both our private and restructured hospitals. Most breast cancers are curable if detected early. I think more can be done to allay the fear and anxieties of these patients.Q. What is ONE myth or message that you would like women to know about breast cancer?Many patients have come up to me with this deep-rooted myth in mind. They have the misconception that doing a biopsy will cause a cancer to spread or cause a benign lump to become ‘more aggressive’ or cancerous.Doing a biopsy on a cancerous breast lump helps in diagnosis and planning of the subsequent treatment and does not cause the cancer to spread. A biopsy also will not cause a benign lump to change into cancer. This is something important that I wish to address and help more women to understand, and that there is nothing to be fearful of if a biopsy procedure has been advised.Q. What do you do during your free time?Other than catching up on the latest developments on breast cancer, I will also take time to read up on TCM since I have a keen interest in this as the “Eastern” alternative medicine. Keeping an open mind has allowed me to see and understand the wisdom that lies in the Chinese culture. I take this reading as sort of a hobby now.I practise Tai-ji outdoors during the weekend. It helps me relax and unwind my mind. I will also join my friends for golf whenever I need extra dose of fresh air.Q. What do you think you would be doing if you didn’t become a breast surgeon?I like working with my hands, so I guess it would still be something that allows me to use my hands skilfully. Who knows, I could otherwise have become a dentist or a potter!Article contributed and reviewed by Dr Lim Siew Kuan, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery
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#AskMeAnything: Biopsy Disturb Cancer Cells? | Debunk Breast Health Myths | Dr Tang Siau-Wei

Do needle biopsies disturb cancer cells and cause them to spread to other parts of the body? Uncover the truth behind this and other common breast health myths in the second episode of our #AskMeAnything series with Dr Tang Siau-Wei, our Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon!Myths Debunked:Myth 1: My last mammogram was normal, so I don’t need another oneMyth 2: Needle biopsies disturb cancer cells and cause them to spread to other parts of the bodyMyth 3: All breast cancers are treated pretty much the same wayMyth 4: There’s nothing I can do to prevent breast cancerVideo reviewed by Dr Tang Siau-Wei , Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery Centre.
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