It was just a shadow, barely visible on the mammogram. But Geraldine Ott, a 62-year-old church secretary, had been faithful about her annual mammograms, and the doctors were able to compare her scan to previous records to detect that something was wrong.

A follow-up ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. There was a lump in her left breast and the biopsy results confirmed that the lump was cancerous.

Two weeks later, Geraldine had the tumour removed at CGH, the same hospital where her cancer was diagnosed. In some ways, Geraldine was very fortunate. Her annual mammograms allowed the doctors to catch and remove the lump early, and left the affected breast largely intact.

Three years on, Geraldine is in the clear with regular check-ups. For Geraldine, her cancer was a quiet crisis, handled with compassion and skill by the medical staff at CGH.

"I never had any questions about doing the procedure in this hospital," said Geraldine. "I felt very confident being treated here."

CGH Breast Service is led by the Senior Consultant Surgeon who treated Geraldine - Dr Tan Su-Ming. Dr Tan prides herself on running an efficient Breast Service that can confirm a cancer diagnosis within a day, schedule surgery within a week of the diagnosis, and handle all required surgery under one roof.

The breast clinic has five doctors - two surgeons and three breast physicians - and two breast care nurses. The clinic also offers breast reconstruction services for women who underwent mastectomies. When breast reconstruction is not needed, patients can even be discharged the day after the surgery.

However, beating cancer takes more than just the best surgeons. Mental and emotional support for patients is crucial. Explained Dr Tan: "You must always give the patient hope. Once she has a fighting spirit, she will do well."