Part of an ongoing series called SocietyA Community, Irene Chui – the captain of the Breast Cancer Foundation’s dragon boat team Paddlers In The Pink – talks about her cancer journey, the importance of early detection and her determination to overcome challenges.
On how she discovered she had breast cancer
I discovered a lump while I was in the shower, but it didn’t occur to me that it was cancer. And when I went to the General Practitioner (GP), she dismissed it and said I was young at the age of 35. So I left it for six months, until I went to another GP when I had a headache and said, “By the way I have this lump there.” The GP did a thorough examination and immediately sent me to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and that’s how my cancer journey began.
On not knowing much about breast cancer
I had to go for an ultrasound first, because when you’re young, your tissues are more dense. I did a mammogram then a biopsy. I was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer and because of the size of the tumor, I had no choice but to remove my entire breast, which is a mastectomy.
All these terms: mastectomy, re-construction, chemotherapy, radiation. It’s so new to you at that point in time. I was lost and in denial for a couple of days. But together with my husband, with two brains, two hearts together, we looked it up on the internet. We searched “what is breast cancer”, “what treatment is there”, “what types of reconstruction is available”? Having to go through so much information, you get lost because it feels overwhelming.
Knowledge is power, and you take control of your own health and body. After you’ve accepted it, with all the knowledge, you can validate, you can ask the right questions to get answers from the doctors, to have the big picture.
Now, people are educated and mindful, checks are readily available, so you are able to discover it much earlier. The Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) has raised awareness by going into schools, so people are more proactive. Before, I had to find out all this information on my own, but thankfully I got to know of BCF through volunteers who came to the hospital.
Irene wears Isoceles Dress, by Peggy Hartanto
On her first surgery
It took 15 hours to have the mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I did a TRAM (Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) which is more complicated and there are more risks, where they remove the tissues, muscles and fats from the tummy and migrate it so there’s less scar tissue. In my mid-thirties, I just wanted to resume wearing my bra, bikini, spaghetti strapped top and I didn’t want to have any foreign substance in my body.
On the recovery process
2 sessions of chemotherapy, 30 sessions of radiation. It’s a journey that moves slowly. I had to go on termosifon which is an oral hormonal drug, but a known side effect was the thickening of my uterus which can lead to endometriosis cancer. So I had to go for surgery to remove the thickening and change to Zoladex, another hormonal treatment where they used a fairly thick needle to inject a powder into the bloodstream which stops the production of estrogen to induce menopause. I had to go to NUH cancer centre monthly for three years, luckily they introduced a new drug that allowed me to go every quarter.
On the importance of having a support system
Having a good company that can give you time to rest, to not stress about your job stability, to not worry about finances and insurance – 50% of your mental health is managed. The other 50% is your will to live.
I didn’t have the time or energy to focus on my kids, primary three streaming and primary five before PSLE. The kids had to swim on their own, which they did. I remember my daughter asking me, “Are you going to die?” and I said “No, mom is going to have a new fix, and everything will be okay.” I didn’t want to share that much with them at that time, but they somehow knew that cancer equals death.
On testing for BRCA
Into my sixth year, my doctor asked me to test for BRCA, to determine if you have mutations in your DNA that increases the risk of breast cancer. The consequences are removing your good breast and ovaries when you are diagnosed positive. There was counselling involved as well. I delayed it for some time, ignorance is bliss, but you have that probability haunting you. That 85% chance that it might come back. After a dragon boat race in Hong Kong, I decided to get tested, and I got diagnosed with BRCA1. I waited another year before I had a three keyhole surgery to remove my ovaries. I thought I could cope with the loss better as I had three years of interim menopause, but there were also side effects like hot flashes, mood swings, nausea and feeling depressed. Though it was tough, I was able to manage some of those side effects with exercise, which produces endorphins to help with the depleted estrogen.
Irene wears earrings Armor Earrings, by P by Panache
On why Paddlers In The Pink is important
Dr Don McKenzie trained 24 breast cancer survivors and taught them paddling techniques to combat lymphedema. Most of us have to remove our lymph nodes and this results in the arms getting swollen because of the abnormal buildup of fluid in soft tissue due to a blockage in the lymphatic system. The repetitive motion of paddling keeps circulation going and helps to reduce the condition, and that’s how Paddlers In The Pink was born in Singapore.
It’s a good sport to resume fitness and there’s fantastic camaraderie as a team sport. Pre-covid we used to train every Saturday at Kallang, rain or shine, warm up at 730am, go out at 8am and be back at 10am. Now we have virtual bootcamps to keep everyone fit – Tuesday is weights training, Saturday is cardio training.
I don’t want to take any medicine, this is my best medicine, and I walk the talk as the captain of the team for 7 years. The team is made up of 50 of us – 80% are survivors, 20% are supporters – chemotherapy buddies and spouses who support our programme. Every four years, there’s the festival organised by the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission. Breast cancer survivors travel to compete and to finish strong, the next one will be held in 2023 in New Zealand.
On reconstructive options
In 2010, I finally said goodbye to my good breast. Because I already did the TRAM before, I had to do a silicone implant. It’s done gradually with a tissue expander, for two weeks for several months, saline is injected into the incision to stretch the skin slowly. I have to deal with two different types of breasts, I have become an exhibitor – to show the difference between the two. Back then, I didn’t have anyone to talk to, but now I’m giving back by sharing with people who need advice. Over the last decade, my body confidence has increased, I embrace the changes and the challenges. No turning back, only looking forward.
On how she breast cancer has changed her
I used to be happy-go-lucky, married at 25, had two kids by 28, I partied all the time, I never expected to be hit with cancer, and that changed my life. I can cry buckets but my tears will never bring back my breasts and my ovaries. I’d rather change my mindset to challenge it and fight it. And I think I won the war, eventually. Sharing what I’ve learned from the crisis, turning that crisis into strength, I’ve become a better person.
BCF actively raises breast cancer awareness through talks, events, research and publications that advocate for early detection through regular screening. BCF supports those affected by breast cancer through psycho-social programmes, support groups and befriending activities. Learn more about Breast Cancer Foundation here.
ABOUT THIS FEATURE
SocietyA Community is an ongoing feature that seeks to uplift and amplify female voices who are making a difference, whether it is in their chosen industry or within the community. If you would like to nominate someone for a future SocietyA Community feature, please let us know by writing in to care@society-a.com.
Photography: Zetty Ardila/SocietyA; Makeup: Nikki Fu