Breast Cancer Awareness Month BCAM 2009

Oncology Nurses Chapter (ONC) is proudly in partnership with Reach To Recovery (RTR). As the person leading this initiative, I can't put to words about how excited I am about this joint-collaboration to promote Cancer Survivorship.

When I was invited me to take on this initiative, there were tonnes of ideas going through my head. After reviewing the literature, I knew at once what I wanted to do. I want to empower my cancer patients to participate in their own self-care.

I wanted to open up opportunities for cancer patients to share and work through their feelings. Hence, I chose to have an expressive session with the participants. The objective for this group session is to allow patients and caregivers to have a safe place to express their inner feelings. Many a times, we may not be able to share as much with our loved ones because of the fear of burdening them or we may not have a person to confide in.

A group session is a very strong supportive platform for patients and caregivers to know that they are not alone. Participants have all the liberty to choose and decide what they want to do. They are in charge, and yes, that is my objective, as I want them to be in control of their own unique situations and feelings.

Moving forward requires the knowledge to be able to do so, and hence, patients should also be equipped with tips on surveillance care. I am so happy to be able to invite Serene, NUH's breast care nurse, to be part of this initiative. Together with one another, patients can learn about what they can do to help themselves, to be in control of the situation.

I am so thankful that Sophia, our CGH comrade, is leading our survivors sharing session. Together with 2 distinguished guest speakers who are breast cancer survivors themselves, I hope to put forward a bio-psycho-social approach to this ONC-BCAM initiative. It is surveillance care (BIO), expressive care (PSYCHO), and survivors sharing (SOCIAL) respectively. I believe in the importance of patient-centric care and hence, I believe that cancer care does not end with just medical treatments. Together with Team-ONC, I hope to put forth my efforts to push cancer care to an even greater heights.


My dear survivors,
you may have been denied the chance to share about how you feel;
you may have been holding on for your love ones;
or you may have been alone all this while..

But I do not want you to be alone. You should never be alone in this journey.

We are all here for you.



Ong Shu Xin
Counsellor, Registered Nurse
Certified Quit Smoking Consultant
Suicide, Grief and Bereavement Work
Oncology Nurses Chapter
Singapore Nurses Association