We know it is very emotionally stressful to find out that you have contracted nose cancer. But all is not lost as there is hope.We know what you are going through as survivors we have been through it before. We believe that no one should have to go through this cancer journey alone. We are here to help you and give you hope.
Who are we?
A voluntary Support Group formed by nose cancer survivors to reach out to nose cancer (NPC) patients - current patients or survivors - and their care-givers. The Group has been formed under the auspices of the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and works closely with health and medical professionals.
As nose cancer survivors, we are here to share our experiences as we have walked through the treatment journey before and know what to expect, lend a listening ear, offer words of comfort and hope, and help survivors with their post recovery care through sharing and learning from one another.
What do we offer?
The Group offers nose cancer (NPC) patients and their care-givers opportunities for:
- Interaction & sharing through organised activities
- Learn from health professionals about the many facets of nose cancer, including treatment and post recovery care.
- Includes advice on Diet, Recipes, Personal Sharing experiences, and much more.
Mission Statement
The NPC Support Group aims to provide knowledge and psychological and emotional support to nose cancer (NPC) patients and care-givers through organised activities, talks, care and the sharing of experiences and practices.
NPC Committee
| NCCS Medical Advisers: |
Dr Terence Tan
Dr Soong Yoke Lim |
| Programme Leader: |
Lim Kok Kiong (KK) |
| Deputy Programme Leader: |
Jimmy Lee |
| Members: |
Lim Wai Cheng
Merlyn Chan
Lin Jiang
Michael Lee
Lawrence Er |
| NCCS Rep: |
Travis Loh |
Contact Us
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Name: Mr Travis Loh
Phone: 6436 8668
Email: [email protected]
NPC Support Group
Lim Kok Kiong (KK)
Email: [email protected]
Nose Cancer Support Group 2020 Programme
| Date |
Topics |
Synopsis |
| 10 Jan, Friday |
Understanding Chemotherapy & its Long-term Side Effects |
While chemotherapy bumps up the survival rate for cancer patients, it causes more damage to healthy cells than radiotherapy alone. Such damage can show up as long-term side effects. Learn what these are and how to alleviate them. |
| 7 Feb, Friday |
Members’ Sharing – Staying Healthy After Treatment |
Maintaining a healthy body and mind is important to recovery and beyond. Learn from fellow survivors how they stay in shape after treatment and throughout the NPC journey. |
| 6 Mar, Friday |
Hearing Loss & Available Remedies |
Hearing loss is a common side effect that affects many NPC survivors. Find out about the available treatments for hearing loss and related problems, and what’s new in hearing aid technology. |
| 3 Apr, Friday |
Caring for Your Teeth & Gums |
RT and chemotherapy can adversely affect oral health so NPC survivors need to take very good care of their teeth and gums so as to slow down or avoid tooth decay and other complications. |
| 8 May, Friday |
Side Effects of Head & Neck Radiation |
Radiation exposure to the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and other tissue that populate the head and neck may result in side effects such as hearing loss, stiff neck and jaw muscles and lower saliva volume. Our guest speaker will throw more light on such side effects and how to treat or manage them. |
| 5 Jun, Friday |
Staying Positive |
The side effects that surface over the years can put a dent into how we live the years in the new lease of life we have after treatment. Having a positive outlook helps put a new shine on the NPC journey post-treatment. |
| 4 July, Saturday |
Mid-Year Party |
Time for the NPC Family to gather and celebrate together with a buffet lunch, games and other fun activities. |
| 14 Aug,Friday |
TCM & Post-Treatment Care |
Conventional cancer treatments can throw the body system off balance. TCM can help restore this balance and help survivors regain good health and recover those bodily functions (taste, smell, etc.) that take a hit from RT and chemotherapy. |
| 4 Sept, Friday |
Hormonal Deficiencies & How They Affect Us |
Most of us will eventually become deficient in at least one of the many hormones that the human body produces. How do these shortfalls affect us and what are the telltale signs and available treatments? |
| 2 Oct, Friday |
Complementary Medicine |
Complementary medicine types such as acupuncture/acupressure, massage, TCM, ayurvedic medicine and energy therapies can offer much needed support before, during and after treatment.
|
| 6 Nov, Friday |
Members’ Sharing – My Own NPC Journey |
Learn from fellow survivors how they started, managed and are managing their own NPC journey, the lessons they learnt along the way, and the lifestyle changes they have made.
|
| Dec |
Year-End Break |
- |
Nose Cancer Support Group 2019 Programme
| Date |
Topics |
Synopsis |
| 11 Jan, Friday |
Eating to stay cancer-free |
Some foods can increase the risk of developing cancer. Others reduce the risk. Find out what to avoid, what to eat more of, and how to balance your diet to keep cancer at bay.*Venue changed to Auditorium* |
| 16 Feb, Saturday |
Chinese New Year Celebration - Lohei Party |
Time for the NPC Family to gather and celebrate Chinese New Year with a lohei, buffet lunch and karaoke party and wish each other another year of health, peace and prosperity. |
| 8 Mar, Friday |
Members' Sharing - My Cancer Journey |
Learn from fellow survivors how they started, managed and are managing their own NPC journey, the lessons they learnt along the way, and the lifestyle changes they made.*Venue changed to Auditorium* |
| 5 Apr, Friday |
Side Effects of Treatment - What to Expect When |
Some side effects make themselves felt shortly after treatment. Others creep up over the years. Find out which side effects could appear along the NPC journey, when they do so, and how they are treated. |
| 10 May, Friday |
TCM – Its Role in Managing Side Effects |
TCM treatments and herbal formulations can help alleviate side effects during and after treatment. They can also help to minimise damage to healthy tissue, increase immunity and improve quality of life. |
| 7 Jun, Friday |
Maintaining & Improving Muscle and Joint Health |
Stiff muscles and joints are a problem for a number of us. Find out how exercise can help keep muscles and joints stay in good shape and even strengthen them. |
| 5 July, Friday |
When NPC Strikes Again |
A relapse is something we all hope not to have. Unfortunately, it happens to some of us. Come hear from fellow survivors who had a second encounter with NPC how they came to know they were unwell, and how they reacted, underwent another round of treatment (or not), and coped. |
| 16 Aug,Friday |
Members' Sharing - Diet & Nutrition |
Our genes, what we eat and the environment we live and work in each play a part in determining the risk of developing cancer. Besides reducing cancer risk, a proper diet and nutrition can help to improve overall wellness, boost the immune system and maintain body tissue health. |
| 6 Sept, Friday |
Securing Insurance after Diagnosis & Treatment |
Buying insurance coverage (especially for critical illnesses) for oneself after developing cancer is almost impossible. Still, there are ways of obtaining insurance coverage for oneself and immediate family members |
| 4 Oct, Friday |
Dealing With Speech & Swallowing Problems |
Slurred speech and swallowing difficulty affect many NPC survivors. Tube feeding is required in severe cases. Learn about the signs of speech and swallowing difficulty, diagnosis, treatment and how to cope.
|
| 1 Nov, Friday |
Members' Sharing - Emotional & Mental Well-being |
Emotional and mental wellness are important to cancer recovery and survivability. The body's immune system becomes less robust when one is thrown off-balance by emotional disturbance or becomes depressed and feels helpless, so it is important to be strong emotionally and upbeat even when side effects rear their ugly heads.
|
| Dec |
Year-End Break |
- |
2018 Theme - Living with Nose Cancer
| Date |
Topics |
Synopsis |
| 5 January, Friday |
Caring For Your Psychosocial & Emotional Needs |
The emotional upheaval from being told that one has contracted cancer and the fear of recurrence is very real. It affects both the survivor and family members. Learn how to deal with such distress. |
| 2 February, Friday |
Healing Through Optimal Nutrition |
Understand the nutritional needs that can optimise recovery and survival chance after cancer treatment. Learn to mix and match various food groups to make healthy meals. |
| 3 March, Saturday |
Chinese New Year Celebration - Lohei Party |
Let's come together as an NPC Family to celebrate Chinese New Year with a lohei, buffet lunch and karaoke party and wish each other another year of health, peace and prosperity. |
| 6 April, Friday |
Member's Sharing - Nature's Healing Powers |
Nature has great healing powers for our body. Learn what they are and how to employ them along our NPC journey. |
| 4 May, Friday |
Dealing with Hearing Loss |
Hearing loss is one of the most common side effects that affect survivors after treatment. Find out about the available treatments for hearing loss and other related problems. |
| 8 June, Friday |
Dealing With Speech & Swallowing Issues |
Slurred speech and difficulty swallowing food affect many NPC survivors. In severe cases, it requires permanent tube feeding. Learn about the signs of speech and swallowing difficulty, diagnosis, treatment and how to cope. |
| 6 July, Friday |
Hormonal Imbalance & its association with NPC |
Hormonal imbalances are a late side effect of treatment. Frequently mistaken as part of ageing, they can severely impact the quality of life. Find out what they are, how they are treated, and how to deal with them. |
| 17 August, Friday |
Understanding Palliative Care |
What exactly is palliative care? When does it apply to survivors? Learn how and when palliative care becomes relevant to cancer survivors. |
| 7 September, Friday |
Understanding Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) |
What is CAM? What are the types out in the marketplace today? How can cancer survivors use them? How do we evaluate their effectiveness? |
| 5 October, Friday |
Members Sharing – Healing of the Mind, Body & Spirit |
Learn from fellow survivors what they employ to help them heal the mind, body and spirit in this sharing session. |
| 9 November, Friday |
Members Sharing Healing through Exercise
|
Come and learn easy-to-do exercise routines that will help survivors to strengthen their body. |
| December |
Year End Break
Preparing for 2019 |
|
View 2018 Theme - Living with Nose Cancer (in Chinese).
