This Breast Cancer Awareness month, 3 individuals share their stories of hope, resilience, and support

Dr Tan Yia Swam
Director, Breast Friend Surgery & Wellness
General surgeon, Mount Alvernia Hospital

With a gentle smile and a reassuring gaze, Dr Tan Yia Swam exudes warmth, compassion, and confidence—all the qualities that make her an ideal confidant to women navigating the complexities of breast health. It comes as no surprise then that she is one of Singapore’s leading voices in breast cancer awareness and education. As director of Breast Friend Surgery & Wellness and a general surgeon at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Dr Tan has dedicated her career to not only treating breast cancer but also to fostering a culture of openness and education around this often-misunderstood disease.

Dr Tan’s journey into the field of breast surgery was sparked during her medical training, where she encountered women with advanced breast cancers that were left untreated for far too long. “I always wondered why,” she reflects, recalling the stories of women who felt embarrassed or were too busy to seek help. “If they had come forth earlier for treatment, their recovery and survival rate would have been better.” This realisation led her to specialise in breast conditions, and ignited her passion for public education and outreach. 

In her practice, Dr Tan emphasises the importance of normalising conversations around breast health. “Going to see a breast doctor should be as simple as talking to a friend,” she asserts. This philosophy is reflected in her clinic’s name, Breast Friend. “My goal is to help remove any fear or shame surrounding this common illness,” she says. “The surgery itself isn’t that difficult. It’s getting the woman to walk into a clinic to see a doctor and accept the treatment recommendations.”

Over the past decade, Dr Tan has witnessed a positive shift in early detection rates, with two-thirds of women now diagnosed at stage 1. However, she notes an alarming trend: the percentage of women diagnosed at stage 4 has also increased from 8 per cent to 11 per cent. “This shows that despite awareness campaigns, some women are still delaying seeking help. Not just by a few days or weeks—I’m talking about months or years!” she says. Fear, misinformation, and a lack of support often paralyse them.

To further her mission of education and outreach, Dr Tan regularly posts informative videos on Instagram (@breastfriendsurgery), sharing tips and insights on breast health. She covers a wide range of topics, including the pros and cons of mammograms versus ultrasounds, as well as hacks for mastering breast self-examinations. Her engaging content aims to demystify breast health issues and encourage proactive self-examinations among women of all ages. “Knowledge empowers you,” she emphasises, urging her followers to seek reliable information rather than relying on potentially misleading online sources.

Dr Tan emphasises the critical importance of early detection in combating breast cancer effectively. “We hear a lot about the stages of breast cancer—1, 2, 3, and 4—but do you know there is an early stage called ‘stage 0’?”  She explains that this early form, known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), indicates that cancer is still contained within the milk ducts. This early-stage cancer boasts a remarkable survival rate; up to 97 percent of affected women live for 20 years or more. Furthermore, treatment for DCIS typically does not require chemotherapy. 

Dr Tan also points out an even earlier condition known as “atypia”, where abnormal cell changes occur on the verge of becoming DCIS or cancerous. “If we can remove this unhealthy tissue with atypia, the patient can be truly cured without needing radiation or hormonal treatments,” she states confidently.

As Breast Cancer Awareness month unfolds, Dr Tan urges women to take proactive steps in their health journeys: “Know your normal, do monthly self-exams, and start mammogram screenings from age 40.” She believes that candid conversations about breast health should extend beyond October; simple check-ins and reminders among friends and family can make a significant difference.

With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years, Dr Tan has achieved numerous milestones. She was the first female president of the Singapore Medical Association and served as a Nominated Member of Parliament, where she advocated for healthcare issues. Her greatest accomplishments, however, lie in her patients. “My happiest successes are the small individual ones; when I manage to help that one scared woman to allow me to do a biopsy, and to proceed with curative surgery,” she reflects. “I take joy in witnessing my young cancer patients go on to marry, start a family, and see their baby grow year on year. That is the satisfaction of being a doctor—to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Sabrina Goh,
Breast cancer survivor

In May 2021, Sabrina Goh’s life took a dramatic turn in a matter of just two weeks. What began as a sharp, persistent pain in her right breast quickly escalated into a HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis, followed by the daunting reality of starting chemotherapy. “It was quite a whirlwind,” she recalls, reflecting on how swiftly breast cancer can upend one’s life.

The severity of her situation became painfully clear when it was revealed that the lump in her breast measured an alarming 16 centimetres—too large for immediate surgical intervention. Chemotherapy was necessary to shrink the tumour, so Goh was immediately scheduled for the next available chemotherapy slot.

There were several other factors that added to the complexity of Goh’s diagnosis. At just 36 years old, she was a first-time mother to a two-year-old and a business owner running SABRINAGOH, her eponymous fashion label—all while navigating the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fear aside, Goh faced her diagnosis with remarkable stoicism. “My heart sank when my doctor broke the news. But I didn’t have much time to be sad; my first thought was ‘Ok, what’s next? What do I do now?’”

As she began chemotherapy, Goh found strength in her support system. Her husband Jason was by her side every appointment. “Jason felt more stressed than I was during that period because he couldn’t alleviate my pain or take my place during chemotherapy,” Goh shares. “All he could do was be there for me and hear what I needed. Yet that was an immensely significant form of support.” Family and friends also rallied around her, offering both emotional and practical assistance as she navigated this challenging chapter. Goh’s mother took the initiative to find a breast cancer survivor who had gone through a similar experience. “She insisted that I speak to this person before I underwent any treatment,” Goh recalls. She was initially hesitant, “but looking back, it was good that I talked to her because she set my expectations,” she says. Among other helpful tips, the survivor also advised Goh to cut her hair short before treatment began, suggesting that this would help ease the shock of hair loss when it inevitably occurred during chemotherapy. “It was a practical tip that made a lot of sense,” Goh reflects. “By preparing myself mentally for the changes, I felt more in control.”

Amidst her breast cancer journey, Goh also found solace in her work as a fashion designer. Running SABRINAGOH became not just a professional endeavour but a creative outlet. “Some women diagnosed with breast cancer quit their jobs to focus on getting treatment but my story is different,” she shares. “I have my baby (the fashion label) and I could take breaks when needed and return to my work when I felt ready.” Nonetheless, Goh kept busy by designing from home, while her team of 12 remained on-site in the SABRINAGOH studio and retail stores. Her brand’s motto, ‘Inspired to create, motivated by dreams’ resonated deeply with her during this time. “Day-to-day, this motto drives me,” she says. “It was beneficial for me to keep doing something I love throughout the treatment process,” she explains. This arrangement allowed her to stay connected to her passion while maintaining a sense of normalcy during the challenging periods of chemotherapy.

After completing six rounds chemotherapy, 18 rounds of targeted therapy, and 15 rounds of radiation, Goh underwent a unilateral mastectomy and subsequent breast reconstruction. Now, she attends follow-up appointments with her doctor every six months. Although occasionally fearing the possibility of cancer returning, Goh remains hopeful about the future. “I don't want to live with any regrets. So, wherever I do anything, I want to live in the present,” she states passionately. This newfound perspective has helped Goh overcome her fear of public speaking. “Before my diagnosis, I was often asked to speak at events or interviews, but I hesitated to accept those opportunities because I was scared. But now I realise if I could face cancer, what could be scarier than that?”

Goh’s breast cancer journey has empowered her to share her story—be it through her fashion designs or by speaking to fellow women battling breast cancer. Her advice may be simple but has profound meaning: Take care of yourself. “As a mother and a business owner, there were times when I was so busy I didn’t put myself first. But it’s so important to focus on your wellbeing,” she says. Ultimately, it is about taking care of one’s body. “Get your breasts checked regularly and observe any changes in shape, size or texture. Use your woman’s intuition.”

Darren Gabriel Leow
Photographer and son of a breast cancer survivor

What role do men play in the fight against breast cancer? Often perceived as a “women’s issue”, the illness can leave many men feeling detached and disconnected from the conversation. Yet, the reality is that men do play a key role in supporting the women in their lives who are battling breast cancer. As caregivers, partners, and family members, the need for male involvement is vital—now more than ever as breast cancer diagnoses rise.

Men often find themselves in a unique position when a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer. While they may initially feel uncertain about how to provide support, their presence can be a source of strength and comfort. Such was the case for Darren Gabriel Leow, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. “Before my mother’s diagnosis, I had very little knowledge about breast cancer,” Leow admits. “It was not something at the forefront of my mind.”

The Leow family was thrust into a whirlwind of uncertainty when matriarch Doreen discovered a lump in her breast. Her vigilance proved crucial; following a biopsy, the cancer was detected at an early stage. Within days, Doreen underwent surgery to remove the lump. Doctors warned that they might need to remove her breast if the cancer had spread. Fortunately, the cancer was localised, and only the lump and surrounding tissue were removed.

Witnessing his mother’s vulnerability during treatment was one of the most challenging aspects for Leow. “Initially, she was stoic, but then she became emotional due to the fear and anxiety surrounding her diagnosis,” he recalls. “I think potentially losing a part of herself that ‘made her a woman’ scared her too. The moment she questioned if she was still ‘intact’ after surgery was particularly devastating. “It broke us,” he shares.

As a son, Leow found himself grappling with how best to support his mother during her breast cancer journey. “To be honest, I didn’t know how to handle it,” he confesses. While his father and younger sister took on primary caregiving roles, accompanying Doreen to appointments and offering emotional support, Leow initially distanced himself by burying himself in work. However, witnessing his mother’s vulnerability was a wake-up call to step up and support her. The experience ultimately brought the Leow family closer together. “It put into perspective how we should never take anything for granted, especially health. It also taught us how to speak about difficult subjects.”

12 years on, Doreen’s health has improved, and she has been in remission since. The journey was not easy; “The ordeal caused my mother some trauma,” Leow shares. But the experience has profoundly shaped his understanding of resilience and support—not to mention, it underscores the vital role men can play in supporting women through such diagnoses. In light of Breast Cancer Awareness month, he hopes to inspire more men to take an active role in supporting their loved ones. “Educate yourself about their diagnosis to engage meaningfully. It is important to encourage open communication about their feelings and fears while maintaining a hopeful and realistic outlook,” he says.

Moreover, Leow emphasises that men should encourage the women in their lives to prioritise their health through regular check-ups and self-exams. “Our support can empower them to prioritise their health and seek help when needed,” he states passionately. 

The emotional resilience demonstrated by women battling breast cancer can also serve as a powerful lesson for men. Leow was moved by his mother’s strength throughout her journey, noting how she refused to let her diagnosis define her. Her determination to maintain a confident appearance during treatment also inspired him to approach life’s challenges with a similar mindset. “It has shaped my perspective,” he explains. “I am allowed to feel sad or sorry for myself momentarily but with the support of the people I love, I’m learning to take hardships one step at a time.” 

Join the fight against breast cancer this October by exploring The Estée Lauder Companies’ Pink Ribbon products here (available at all brand boutiques and Lazada flagship stores). A portion of each sale goes towards funding vital research and support initiatives, empowering those affected by this disease.

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