Beyond medicine Doctor started support group with former patient

Breast Cancer: Building A Meaningful Life Beyond Cancer

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BREAST CANCER: BUILDING A MEANINGFUL LIFE BEYOND CANCER

While advances in medical treatment have helped many women recover from breast cancer, mental and emotional healing after treatment often remains overlooked, says Dr Karmen Wong, medical director and specialist in medical oncology at Icon Cancer Centre at Gleneagles Hospital.

This was a gap Dr Wong, who has been treating breast cancer patients for more than 30 years, could not ignore.

Having walked with thousands of women through some of the darkest moments of their lives, she believed that surviving cancer should mean more than simply living longer. It should also mean living well.

"We've made great progress in breast cancer treatment. With better surgery, medicine, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, more women are physically well after their diagnosis," says Dr Wong.

"But what about their mental well-being? A healthy mind helps us physically and emotionally."

In May 2021, Dr Wong started After Breast Cancer (ABC) Celebrate Life!, an emotional well-being programme with her former patient Cally Koh, 60, and several others.