When cancer treatment becomes a family journey

Tan Chiew Mei, a 37-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with her second child. The news weighed heavily on her, as she worried about both her own health and the wellbeing of her newborn daughter. Determined to beat the disease, she focused on two goals: receiving effective treatment and keeping her baby. Tan's cancer was triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form requiring chemotherapy.

Facing a barrage of medical decisions and appointments, Tan struggled to ask questions during consultations, often finding herself listening and nodding before drawing a blank. She has since urged patients to prepare for consultations and not to shy away from asking even seemingly insignificant questions. Breast cancer treatment plans must account for both the mother's and the baby's health, closely coordinated between oncologists, obstetricians, and surgeons.

A major challenge arose after Tan's delivery, as she endured an induced labor followed by immediate surgery. The physical toll was compounded by her ongoing chemotherapy, which caused hair loss, leg pain, tingling, sore gums, and itchy skin. Her support network proved invaluable, with her husband accompanying her to appointments, her mother cooking during chemo, and her siblings helping care for their children. Her employer even facilitated ample time off work.

Tan sought additional support beyond medical treatment, such as counselling and patient groups, to cope with the emotional demands of her journey. Despite the difficulties, Tan's cancer has remained in remission, and she continues to attend regular follow-up appointments. She urges women to be vigilant about their health, to ask questions without hesitation, and to seek support whenever needed.