Contents. Head and Neck Cancer
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Volume 7, No. 01 MICA (P) 132/12/2007 HEAD AND NECK CANCER Article contributed by : the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy has made milestone Dr Leong Swan Swan accomplishments, allowing treatments to be even more Senior Consultant Dept of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre precise, with reduction in incidence and degree of long term side-effects like xerostomia (dry mouth). Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) For locally-advanced NPC(stage III & IV) which are confined to the nasopharynx and regional lymph nodes in the neck, With cancer rates on the rise, Singapore has seen an studies have now shown combining chemotherapy and increasing trend in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Now the radiotherapy has significantly improved outcome, resulting 5th most common cancer in Singapore males and 10th most in better long term control rate. common in female, this disease is seen to be more prominent among Southern Chinese individuals with the median age of around 45 years old. NPC currently makes up 60% of cancer in the head and neck region. The common presenting symptoms are: • Recurrent epistaxis (nose bleed) • Persistent ‘blocked nose’ • Reduced hearing • Tinnitus (ringing sound in the ears) • Unexplained neck lumps Diagnosis for NPC is made usually via nasoendoscopy and biopsy. The main treatment remains as Radiotherapy for early stages of NPC, with a high cure rate. The advent of CONTENTS. HEAD AND NECK CANCER 01 SUPER BOY 05 AN EXTRA SUIT OF ARMOUR 11 HEAD AND NECK CANCER (Continue.) 02 CHARITY DINNER CUM FASHION SHOW 06 SINGAPORE HOKKIEN HUAY KUAN FAMILY DAY 11 A DAY OF SUN, SAND, CANCER TV SHOW RAISES SEA AND SMILES 03 "HOPE FOR TOMORROW" 07 BUDDHIST LIBRARY CARNIVAL 2007 11 LEARNING ABOUT END-OF-LIFE CARE STUDY TOUR TO HONG KONG BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 11 DURING HOSPICE AWARENESS WEEK 04 NEW VOICE CLUB 08 MY HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILY 12 MAKING A DIFFERENCE, THE FIRST HEAD AND NECK EVEN IF IT’S FOR A DAY 04 CANCER AWARENESS WEEK 09 LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 12 RUN FOR HOPE 2007 05 CHANGI AIRPORT TERMINAL 3 10 UPCOMING EVENTS 12 ABOUT SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY was established in 1964 as a self- HEAD AND NECK CANCER funding voluntary welfare organization. It has since taken a leading role in cancer prevention and control. (Continue.) The Society is a self funding organization and does not receive any funding from the Community Chest. Hence funds are needed to be raised to support its various welfare programmes and free services. Squamous cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC) Our Mission: SCHNC makes up for 30% of cancer in the head and neck region, The Singapore Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing cancer as a with thyroid cancers and salivary gland cancers making up the major health problem, diminishing suffering from cancer, and enhancing the quality–of-life of cancer patients and their families, through public remaining 10%. education, financial assistance, screening, advocacy, research and patient services. SCHNC comprises of cancers in the oropharynx, hypopharynx and the Our Vision: larynx, affecting individuals in the older age group. Known causative To be the leading cancer organization in Singapore and the region with reputation for modern and effective programmes for cancer control. factors for SCHNC include smoking, betel nut chewing and other forms of chronic irritation. Our Programmes: 1. Financial Assistance - Cancer Treatment Fund (Cancer treatment subsidies for caner patients) - Welfare Aid for needy cancer patients The common presenting symptoms are: 2. Patient Assistance - Job Placement Programme - Psycho-Social Counselling • Persistent hoarseness of voice 3. Free Cancer Screening - Pap smear test (For Cervical cancer) • Non-healing mouth ulcers - Clinical breast examination (For Breast cancer) - Faecal Occult Blood Test [FOBT] (For Colorectal cancer) • Persistent pain in the throat 4. Public Education - Organize various cancer awareness campaigns • Difficulty swallowing - Conduct cancer-related talks and forums - Disseminate cancer information • Bleeding from the mouth or throat (via website & telephone service) - Conduct smoking cessation clinic • Abnormal neck lumps 5. Rehabilitation Support - Provide rehabilitative care for cancer patients undergoing treatment - Promote support group activities for cancer patients 6. Home Hospice Care The standard treatment for SCHNC is surgical resection, if the cancer - Offer medical and psycho-social care for terminally is resectable. This may be followed by additional radiotherapy or ill cancer patients 7. Cancer Research chemo-radiotherapy. In some situations, combined chemotherapy and - Support cancer research by giving out grants and awards. 8. Volunteer Management radiotherapy is the preferred mode of treatment. For example, - Offer volunteering opportunities to suit people with different an individual with cancer of the larynx and the hypopharynx may have interests and skills loss of voice or swallowing function after definitive surgery. In this CONTACT US AT situation, an organ-preservation approach using chemo-radiotherapy Main Clinic and Office: may be preferable. 15 Enggor Street, #04 -01 to 04 Realty Centre, Singapore 079716 Tel: 6221 9578 Fax: 6221 9575 Studies have shown that combined chemo-radiotherapy is a viable Branch Clinic: Blk 22 Boon Keng Road, #01-11 Singapore 330022 option to surgery in where appropriate, with almost equivalent Tel: 6396 6241 Fax: 6396 6243 outcome. However, there will be side-effects from the chemotherapy You can also log on to our website at and radiotherapy. www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg for news and event information or email us at The last few years have seen many advances in cancer treatment. This [email protected] includes anti-cancer agents targeting specific features of abnormal How You Can Help Us cancer cells, resulting in higher tolerance and fewer side effects. In the There are many ways in which you can help us in our fight against case of SCHNC, the use of anti-EGFR therapy with radiotherapy is cancer. Make a pledge to support us today and make a difference to the lives of people touched by cancer. considered an alternative to combined chemo-radiotherapy using Volunteer Your Time standard chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin. Volunteers share a precious relationship with us. The time and effort rendered by them help make a real difference to people who are affected by or living with cancer. The time contributed by volunteers enables us to extend and develop the quality and scope of our services. Please help us in our fight against cancer by being a volunteer. You can email your contact details to us at [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL TEAM Huang Der Tuen Bernard Lim Janet Ling Sunny Wee Jeff Tan Janet Ling Karl Koh Susan Lui Ann Lee Rachel Lee A DAY OF SUN, SAND, SEA AND SMILES It was a day of fun and frolic under the sun for 60 cancer patients and their loved ones – thanks to the courtesy of Singapore Petroleum Company Ltd (SPC) when they were taken on an excursion to Sentosa on 4th August. The members from SPC Recreational Committee met the participants at the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) Headquarters in Enggor Street early in the morning where they were briefed on the day’s programme. All participants were presented with a door gift (sponsored by Hup Hin Ho The groups were led by a team of SPC representatives & SPC) before they broke up into separated smaller groups, in 3 separate chartered buses to VivoCity. each of which was led by a representative from SPC as their team leader. The group then set off at 9.30am by chartered buses. Their first itinerary was the Sentosa 4D Magix Show where the audience were wowed by the special “live” environmental effects, the individually-controlled seats and the special visual effects. A happy Mr Raymond Chetty posing for a picture with SPC’s staff Next up was the Carlsberg’s Sky Tower where the participants feasted their eyes on panoramic views of Sentosa, the Southern Islands, Singapore mainland, and part of Malaysia and Indonesia islands. Without a doubt, much photo-taking took place at this stop of the excursion. Following that was a historical walk down memory lane for the participants at the Images of Singapore. This got the patients reminiscing and interacting of their childhood days among themselves as well as their team leaders. Finally it was time for a gastronomical experience at the Mr Chew Yeu Cheong, an Ostomy Club Member posing for a picture with Deon Goh of SCS Tastes of Singapore which was also the last leg of the tour. Sumptuous food, good company and lots to talk about, there was no better way than to end the day. This excursion would be well summed up in the words of Ms Alice Loh, the organizer: “This event is a huge success as we believe not only the cancer patients gained some “sunshine” and laughter, even the organizers and volunteers benefited much!” With that, patients of SCS would like to give thanks to SPC for a wonderful day of sun, sand, sea and smiles. Small group of cancer survivors and the SPC team. P3 LEARNING ABOUT MAKING A END-OF-LIFE CARE DURING DIFFERENCE, HOSPICE AWARENESS WEEK EVEN IF IT’S Hospice Awareness Week (HAW), an annual event chaired FOR A DAY by the Singapore Hospice Council, offered the public a A group photo taken with cancer survivors. wealth of information on the available hospice services. One of the key highlights of this year’s HAW is a public On a day where the energy forum, held on 20th Oct at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in of a small adventuring group rivaled the both English and Mandarin. sun’s warmth and shine, there was indeed much to smile and talk about as the Singapore Cancer Society’s outing to The theme was “Planning Ahead…….