Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The number of women afflicted has doubled in the last 25 years. Breast Cancer is a malignant growth that originates from breast tissue. If not treated, it will grow within the breast and also spread to other organs in the body.

Changi General Hospital held a public forum on 27 October 2001 to inform and educate the public on breast cancer. This was also held in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The forum speakers included Dr Tan Su Ming, Breast surgeon, Ms Magdalene Lim, psychologist; Dr Lim Teh Aun, consultant radiologist and Mrs Grace Segran, a breast cancer survivor.

According to Dr Tan Su Ming, women aged 50 to 65 years old with a strong family history of breast cancer are at risk of getting breast cancer. Other risk factors include a high fat diet, smoking, alcohol, early menstruation, late menopause and being childless or having the first child late.

Breast cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Surgical options include a mastectomy, which involves the removal of the entire breast or wide excision, which is the removal of the cancerous lump and margin of unaffected tissue. The loss of the breast after surgery is psychologically traumatic. However, breast reconstruction has been shown to alleviate the trauma. Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or delayed after the mastectomy.

A mammogram is vital in the early detection of breast cancer. A mammogram is a specialised x-ray of the breast. It can detect breast cancer by finding lumps that are too small to be felt through a physical examination. Dr Lim said, "Women above the age of 40 should have a mammogram at least once a year. Studies have shown that early detection from a mammogram is effective in reducing breast cancer deaths by up to 30%."

One of the lesser-known facts of breast cancer is the emotional aspects of the disease. According to Ms Magdalene Lim, breast cancer patients should not feel stigmatised for seeking counselling when they are unable to cope with the emotional aspects of the disease.

"Patients should not shield their emotions from their family and in fact they should share their feelings with them," she said.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is not a death sentence. Mrs Grace Segran, breast cancer survivor, shared her personal encounter with breast cancer. Grace was caught by surprise when she was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer in 1998.

Grace recalled, "I was in the business of living - busy with family, a writing career, and had just embarked on the posting to Jakarta. I had so many things going for me, and so many things to look forward to. But cancer came like a thief in the night and took me - took us all - by surprise."

"The loss of the breast after surgery is psychologically traumatic. However, breast reconstruction has been shown to alleviate the trauma", Dr Tan Su Ming, Consultant Breast Surgeon said.

Despite the grueling experience, Grace took on her illness bravely and underwent both chemotherapy and radiation therapy to destroy the cancer.

"Treatment was tough - I was plagued with infections during chemo, and radiation made me so very tired. Sometimes I wonder if it'll ever end. But it did."

Grace believed that her faith and emotional support from her family and friends helped her cope when diagnosed with breast cancer and throughout her treatment.

"Patients should not shield their emotions from their family and should in fact share their feelings with them," she said.

"I may have been the one with the diagnosis, but my family members were suffering as well. I shared everything with my husband and 15-year-old daughter about the cancer and its treatment. I felt there was no need to protect them. A burden shared is a burden halved. We were a team."

An author, freelance editor and writer, Grace found writing therapeutic and wrote about her cancer experience. She published a book called "Cheers to Life!: One woman's dance with Breast Cancer" last year. Grace is now celebrating her 3rd cancer-free year.

The Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) Volunteer Dance Group, led by Mrs Fern Low, also performed a Therapeutic Dance for the audience. What is most significant about the dance is that all the dance performers are also breast cancer survivors. The volunteer group, which performs regularly at hospital functions and forums, is spreading the message that breast cancer can be overcome if you have hope and courage.