Dr Tan chose to specialise in breast diseases because she felt that as a woman, female patients would be more comfortable and open to her. She could also relate to their fears and anxieties, and would be able to build a rapport with them easily.

In her year there, she has become highly adept in breast cancer screening, high risk group management and treatment of benign breast diseases. She is also involved in the management of all stages of breast cancer and breast reconstruction, the use of breast ultrasound and breast mammotomme.

Dr Tan has also picked up techniques on all types of operations including surgery for benign conditions of the breast. Some of the new techniques are surgery for breast cancer such as mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, breast conservation surgery, immediate and delayed breast reconstruction using autologous tissue and/or breast implants, and risk reduction surgery such as prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.