ON A RUN AFTER RECOVERY

Cancer survivor continues fitness journey after exercise helped her cope with chemo

- Joel Chang

Taking part in the Great Eastern Women's Run (GEWR) on Nov 9 represented more than just a 5km race for Cheng Meow Eng.

For the 49-year-old, who was among over 12,000 participants of the event at Singapore Sports Hub, it was testament to her fitness journey after winning her battle with stage three breast cancer.

"When I started chemotherapy, I also started walking and swimming," she said. "I came to realise that when I was supposed to be feeling weak, I felt fit instead. That's where I saw the importance of exercise."

Her cancer diagnosis came in March 2022, after a particularly demanding period of her life, when the mother of three was working as a logistics manager.

"My job gave me a lot of stress and that was too hectic for me, juggling family and work," said Cheng, who left the company in June 2021. "That's why I made the decision to take a break. It was actually around the time that I wanted to get back into work that I got diagnosed."