Have you heard of the cancer tsunami?   One in three Singaporeans will get cancer in their lifetime, and one in three Singaporeans will die of cancer.   Where should we look for hope in changing these trends?

A spritely 82-year-old Mr Sng Tiang Kee lives a full life:   He is a proud grandfather of four, coaches badminton twice a week to children, practices luk tung kuen (a kind of taichi-like exercise) four times a week, picked up playing the ukulele in recent years, and is even a 2017 Run for Hope Ambassador.
 
This year marks the twelfth year since his first diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer.

The octogenarian is a model of confident optimism even when afflicted with cancer.   This is possible due to the careful management of his health by his medical oncologist at National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Dr Ravindran Kanesvaran, together with a multidisciplinary team in NCCS.

The way forward for cancer treatment

In Singapore, cancer is a leading cause of death. Mr Sng is one of close to 150,000 patients NCCS sees annually, and as Singapore’s population ages, the Centre sees more patients with multiple health issues.

Cancer can be scary because it can strike anyone, there is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis or treatment, and the journey can be taxing physically and emotionally.

With a new 24-storey building set to open in 2022, the Centre is now charting a new frontier in the treatment of cancer, continuing its fortified multidisciplinary approach and introducing immunotherapy and proton beam therapy facilities in the near future.

As a one-stop cancer care centre, the building will house 17 sub-specialties of different cancer types ranging from haematology to cancer genetics, providing integrated care to patients with the oncologists seeing patients from Specialist Oncology Clinics.

This set-up provides patients with convenience of care and avoids having them attend multiple appointments in their weakened condition.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and good palliative care are key care components NCCS is providing, but emotional, social and psychological support from trained, experienced and compassionate staff are just as important. For this, the new building will feature a Mental & Physical Wellness Clinic.

Professor Soo Khee Chee, Director of NCCS, expounded: “We have an understanding of what patients are going through in their illnesses, and provide holistic care beyond clinical attention. There are psychological, emotional and familial management aspects to look out for.”

“NCCS combines two things – professionals who are dedicated to cancer education, research and clinical care, as well as a value system of really loving your patients.”

Looking into genetics for prevention 

Prevention plays a huge part in the war against cancer, even as clinicians discover newer and better cancer treatments.   As such, NCCS has set up ​the new Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Health (CPPH).

CPPH will identify ways to reduce the prevalence of cancer and deaths caused by it, with focus on cancer genomics, epidemiology, as well as screening and control.   The Division also investigates risk factors and conduct community-based intervention studies to identify the causes of cancer.

“At NCCS, we are a lot more passionate about cancer screening than just about anybody else, because we often see patients suffering from a cancer that could have been easily treated if we caught it early,” Prof Soo shared. “Furthermore, not all available cancer screening tests are conclusive, so we’re here to give recommendations based on scientifically sound clinical evidence.”

With around five to 10 per cent of cancers being inherited and potentially treatable if recognised in good time, NCCS’ cancer genetics services can have great impact by providing early detection for breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer.

Where philanthropy partners translational research

NCCS houses clinicians who work closely with scientists on translational research programmes to deliver the best in cancer treatment and care. Two upcoming expertise to see greater implementation at the new NCCS are immunotherapy and proton beam radiotherapy, which will add to the conventional pillars of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapies.

“NCCS combines two things – professionals who are dedicated to cancer education, research and clinical care, as well as a value system of really loving your patients.” 
- Prof Soo Khee Chee, Medical Director, NCCS

Dr Ravindran shared that today’s patients are empowered with greater understanding about their illnesses, thus being better able to make informed decisions about their care. “Patients today are more open to joining clinical trials, which may provide them with a more effective cancer treatment than conventional therapies,” he said.

To bridge the gap in resources needed to bring cutting edge therapies to its patients, NCCS invests in philanthropic efforts. 

With the many individuals who have journeyed with, and are touched by NCCS’ care, philanthropy at the Centre is a legacy of partnership between community and NCCS to further cancer science, education and patient care.

“NCCS has the ability to provide world-class cancer care for Singapore residents and lead the field in the region, enabling regional patients to receive the highest quality of cancer care without having to travel too far away from home,” said Dr Ravindran.

Cancer can be scary because it can strike anyone, there is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis or treatment, and the journey can be taxing physically and emotionally. With its efforts in cancer research, treatment and prevention, NCCS provides hope of longer lives and better health for Singaporeans.

“We are driven by the needs of Singaporeans and also the understanding that cancer will be an even bigger problem in the future, as our population grow older and live longer lives,” Prof Soo shared.

“In planning for the new NCCS, we are anticipating to future proof our community through continual, personalised treatment with advanced technology and therapies.”

Today, badminton-loving Mr Sng is still full of life and vigour, and has no plans to slow down. And thankfully, he doesn’t have to – not with NCCS watching his back.