Issue No. 34 • MICA (P) 108/03/2015
A NCCS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION July – September 2015
...HELPING R E A DER S TO ACHIEV E GOOD HE A LT H
Salubris is a Latin word which means healthy, in good condition (body) and wholesome.
EMPOWERING ONE AGAINST CANCER
THE CANCER EDUCATION BUS
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SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
USE OF A CLINICAL DECISION AID IS COST EFFECTIVE IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS Using data from a prospective cohort of more than 3000 patients suspected of having Cowden syndrome (CS), Cleveland Clinic researchers, together with collaborators from the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (DukeNUS) and Johns Hopkins University, found that the Cleveland Clinic PTEN adult clinical scoring system (CC score) is a cost-effective method for genetic screening of patients with suspected CS. The finding may help improve medical decision making for oncologists and benefit patients with CS and other inherited cancer syndromes.
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S is an autosomal dominant disorder that carries high risks of breast, thyroid, and other cancers. One quarter of CS patients have a mutation in the PTEN gene. While PTEN testing and regular, intensive cancer surveillance allow for early detection and treatment, it can be challenging for clinicians to identify possible CS patients and offer PTEN testing because CS symptoms often occur in the general population. Therefore, many CS patients often go unmonitored, increasing their risk of developing one or more types of cancer. Current screening recommendations are based on expert opinion and it is not known how patient’s age and gender affect the cost effectiveness of these recommendations. Charis Eng, MD, PhD, Hardis Chair and Founding Director of the Genomic Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, and Joanne Ngeow, MBBS, Head of the Cancer Genetics Service, Consultant in Division of Medical Oncology, NCCS, teamed up with Health Services and Systems Research co-investigators Drs. Chang Liu, Zhou Ke and David Matchar from Duke-NUS, Kevin Frick from Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business to address this unmet need. They developed a decision analysis model to analyse the cost effectiveness of several different methods of PTEN detection. They systematically reviewed five different strategies and found that the CC score at a threshold of 15 (CC15) was the most inexpensive. Their results are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
Precision medicine allows for patients to receive individualised management according to their genetic profile. Our researchers show that patients’ family and genetic histories can be used to predict who needs genetic testing so that we may possibly prevent future illnesses for those at risk. However, with the changing healthcare landscape and focus on value-based care, it is critical to develop methods that achieve these goals in a cost-effective manner.
“It is important that more such studies are undertaken in different healthcare settings to help guide clinicians and health policy makers. The present study serves as a model for similar studies of other inherited cancer syndromes,” explained first author Dr Joanne Ngeow.
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SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
GPsC@N – GPs Caring for Cancer at NCC
ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER Interview with A/Prof Simon Ong, Director, Division of Cancer Education BY DR ROSE FOK Division of Medical Oncology
Following two years of GP engagement, NCCS is now embarking on an Oncology Training programme in Primary Care.
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WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF NCCS ON ONCOLOGY TRAINING IN FAMILY MEDICINE?
DO YOU Q WHAT HOPE TO SEE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE AND IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? I hope that we can eventually develop a training model similar to the one in Canada. I hope that we can start by defining the role of a GPO in Singapore, conducting workshops to provide specific skill sets, integrating these workshops into a coherent curriculum and training programme and finally developing national practice guidelines and accreditation.
a. Defining Roles of GPOs
NCCS is the major provider of cancer care and training locally. We are experienced and established in providing advanced training for cancer both locally and regionally. While we have done well in these areas I feel that we can do more for the wider community, especially homecare nurses, primary care physicians (PCPs) and even medical social workers (MSWs). My interest in PCPs arose as a result of seeing them as a critical component in the broader concept of total cancer care. As generalists, family physicians (FP) are able to complement the narrow focus of care provided by specialists, resulting in holistic and comprehensive care. We look forward to collaborating with our PCP partners to develop a meaningful and sustainable shared care model. According to the Canadian Family Physician 2013, an important trend in the Canadian physician work force is the growing number of FPs narrowing their scope on clinical areas of particular interest. According to the 2010 National Physician Survey 30.5% of FPs indicated they have a specific area of focus in their practices. In 2011, the CFPC created a new section for FPs with Special Interests of Focused Practices to “offer increased support for FPs who incorporate special interests and skills as part of their traditional broad-scope family practices, and for those who have focused their practices in specific areas of care”. Family physicians have been working in formal outpatient and inpatient cancer settings for several decades. The Canadian Association of GPs in Oncology was formed to foster a common identity and meet the continuing education needs of these physicians, now commonly called GPs in Oncology (GPO) or FPs in Oncology. These physicians combine part-time work as GPOs with other medical activities such as palliative care and family practice. They report higher job satisfaction: 93% of GPOs were satisfied or extremely satisfied, compared with 75.6% of FPs in the NPS. (Canadian Family Physician 2013; 59:e290-7)
Singapore is a compact island with readily accessible health care so not everything is relevant or practical to us. However, the Canadian experience does tell us that it is feasible for PCPs to play a wide variety of roles in the cancer care system, both within and without the hospital.
We need to have a dialogue between oncologists and PCPs to define possible roles of GPOs in Singapore. Without knowing these roles we would not be able to develop a meaningful curriculum. NCCS will provide the space to discuss and explore different views and ideas. NCCS will provide opportunities for teaching, training and attachments to engage our GP partners. Hopefully we can identify meaningful roles for GPOs through these conversations and interaction. I am glad to say that this conversation has already begun with the setting up of a taskforce with GP partners from a diverse practice setting.
b. Workshops
A series of different workshops can be designed to equip GPs with a variety of specific skill sets. The initial choice of workshops is derived from our conversation and discussion with our GP partners. We will conduct these workshops and subject them to a rigorous critique and evaluation process by the attendees. Hopefully we will be able to identify the most useful workshops through a process of selection and elimination. This process can also help to discover and validate where the areas of needs lie.
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
“NCCS will provide opportunities for teaching, training and attachments to engage our GP partners. Hopefully we can identify meaningful roles for GPOs through these conversations and interaction.”
c. Curriculum
The next task will be to organise and integrate these individual workshops into a single meaningful curriculum. The greatest challenge in developing such a curriculum is to avoid making it too specialised or compartmentalised. I envisage that such a curriculum should embody a more “multi-disciplinary and inter-professional” approach. In order to achieve this, it becomes imperative that we collaborate with PCPs who have received training and exposure in oncology.
d. National Practice Guidelines and Accreditation
Eventually I hope to see “Practice Guidelines” written for GPOs especially in areas of screening, surveillance and survivorship. Currently many of our guidelines like the NCCN guidelines are developed for specialists for the treatment of advanced cancers. After that, I hope we can include a formal appraisal process followed by governance to ensure a minimum standard of care.
DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST NEED Q WHAT IN GPO TRAINING? The increasing incidence of cancer together with our aging population translates to a burgeoning cancer burden and oncologists alone cannot provide the full care to our cancer survivors.
a. The greatest need is in cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis. The greatest barrier of effective screening is the failure of take up. Studies show that when GPs are actively involved in screening, the take up rate improves significantly. Patients are likely to present to their GPs first with their symptoms, thus they play a critical role in the early diagnosis of cancer.
b. Next is the area of cancer survivorship. This comprises four large areas including detecting relapse, screening for new cancers, general preventive health and management of comorbidities.
A VETERAN IN CANCER CARE, DO YOU Q BEING HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PATIENTS? Cancer survivors often continue to live under the “shadow of cancer” with a constant fear of relapse. While it is natural to fear, we should not let fear take away the joy of living. Instead, we should use that fear to live life more vigorously and meaningfully. Although a diagnosis of cancer is often shattering and devastating, it can also be affirming and motivating. It compels us to scrutinise our lives under a microscope, to reprioritise our goals.
YOUR APPROACH TO CANCER CARE Q HAS CHANGE OVER THE YEARS? In my early days of training, chemotherapy was the most important thing to me as I believe that it is the main tool and weapon of cancer care to eradicate cancer and save lives. I viewed myself like an alchemist, fully immersed in studying the “art” of creating potions to become the best in giving chemo. Even after a patient has failed multiple lines of chemo, I would still be able to concoct a treatment that might just work. Over the years, my views have changed to a more sobering reality. While we have become adept at giving chemo and yielded better results incrementally, chemo comes at a COST. By having patients live longer, we have compelled them to live with the BURDEN of cancer, which may not be the best and for some, may be a form of suffering. All these made me less charmed by the hopes that chemo can provide. I have witnessed patients who became financially strapped, living life with lots of regret and becoming so singularly focused on treatment that they forget to address other needs and “unfinished business”. This part of cancer care is not as “romantic” but just as real. As oncologists, we need to help patients see that there is a “price to pay”, not just money but other costs as well. Thus chemo to prolong life at all cost may not be the right approach. Now I take a broader view that chemo is a means to an end and not an end in itself. So now I first try to find out what are the patient’s goals when facing a life-limiting illness, then explore what are the different means to achieve them. I view death as inescapable and we cannot change the natural laws. Chemo may not solve all problems or needs, but it can buy time for us to act. What we can do for our patients, we will try to do, but we do need to help patients count the cost of treatment. Where we can cure, we will certainly like to cure but what we cannot, we hope we can help patients to live better and meaningfully.
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SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
NCCS HONOURED WITH THE MEDALLION BY SITI ZAWIYAH Corporate Communications
The Singapore Service Excellence Medallion (“Medallion”) – an epitome of service excellence, was launched to recognise and commend the highest level of achievement for service in Singapore. It is quantified by the remarkable performance of the people and organisations that are pushing the envelope to create environments that deliver phenomenal organisational performance, employee and customer satisfaction. Prof Soo Khee Chee, Director, NCCS receiving the Medallion from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
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he National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) is one of the three top organisations lauded with the Medallion recently. For NCCS, finding ways to improve services and making a difference in the way we care for our patients has always been one of our purposes. NCCS has been recognised for several of its initiatives. NCCS created the role of patient relation officer. The officers are stationed at six clinics and treatment departments to welcome and guide patients through the registration process and other procedures. They help to assure patients and provide them some relief amid many things that patients may worry about. Now, not only have the relation officers gained the patients’ trust, they have also created new friendships. Another initiative that made a difference for our patient experience was the Real Time Ambulatory Patient Information Deployment Enabler (RAPIDE) system. This provides staff at NCCS’ chemotherapy unit quick real-time views of patients’ locations, drug status and available treatment recliners, reducing treatment times for chemotherapy patients. The RAPIDE system also sends patients an SMS reminder 30 minutes before their appointment and updates patients 5 minutes before their turn begins. This allows patients to see to their daily errands and still have sufficient time to prepare for their appointments.
In 2011, NCCS engaged the Disney Institute to rethink and redesign its service processes. The NCCS patient experience programme was developed and rolled out as the best practice across the organisation. After their engagement with Disney, NCCS formed the Integrated Clinical Practice and Operational Efficiency (ICOE) committee to seek further opportunities in reducing waiting times and improving operational flow and efficiency. NCCS was ranked second, for overall satisfaction, of the nine National Specialist Centres in FY2013 by the Ministry of Health’s annual Patient Satisfaction Survey.
“When we first embarked on the first initiative five years ago, we were not looking for accolades but simply to develop a culture of providing even better care for our patients through their experience and contact with staff in NCCS over and above our obvious clinical competence and professionalism.” – Prof Soo Khee Chee, Director, NCCS
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
SINGAPORE-LED AHCC REVEALS NOVEL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN LIVER CANCER MANAGEMENT BY EDWIN YONG Corporate Communications
With about one million new cases worldwide annually and more than 70 percent in Asia, liver cancer is the fourth most common cancer among males and the third most fatal cancer in Singapore.
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he Asia-Pacific Hepatocellular Carcinoma Trials Group (AHCC) was founded in 1997 and has since established an extensive network of leading clinicians and key opinion leaders around the Asia-Pacific region to collaborate and research in managing this deadly disease. Delivering their promise for better treatment outcomes to patients, the trials group presented two major highlights at the Scientific Forum held in May at Duke-NUS. The first major highlight is the new findings from a collaborative study between the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) which adopts a novel approach to investigating how genes in liver cancer may differ from one patient to another.
Dr Kieron Lim presenting to participants a set of recently formulated practice guidelines
The study, presented by Genome Institute of Singapore Senior Researcher, Dr Zhai Wei Wei, uses the latest technologies in gene sequencing, and shows that in addition to genetic differences between individuals, liver cancer carries very high genetic differences between cancer cells within the same tumour. This high intra-tumoural heterogeneity may provide an explanation to the low effectiveness of current targeted drug therapies in many cancers. The second major highlight is the inaugural presentation of the latest recommendations by world class liver cancer experts for administering Yttrium 90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), generally in liver cancer patients who cannot be treated surgically.
Prof Pierce Chow sharing his views on treatment and management of liver cancer
A set of consensus practice guidelines was formulated by an expert panel comprising of surgeons, hepatologists, medical oncologists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians, chaired by Professor Joseph Lau, an eminent clinicianscientist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a world-class expert on liver cancer. Dr Kieron Lim, Head of the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at National University Hospital (NUH), presented the practice guidelines.
“These major highlights, together with the rest of the presentations by worldwide reputable doctors will deepen our understanding towards the treatment and management of liver cancer”, said Professor Pierce Chow, Protocol Chair AHCC and Senior Consultant Surgeon at NCCS. Dr Zhai Wei Wei sharing the findings from a study involving gene sequencing
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FEELING G.R.E.A.T. AT NCCS BY FLORA YONG Community Partnership
Each and every day, the employees of National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) give their time and energy through the good work they do in taking care of patients and making research discoveries in the labs. Through the G.R.E.A.T@NCCS Staff Giving Programme, our employees have made a difference to cancer research and in the lives of many individuals and their families who seek treatment at NCCS. This staff giving programme allows staff to make donations through monthly deductions from their salary.
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eing a part of NCCS’ mission means more than just a pay cheque to most. As our employees will tell you:
“This is a very meaningful contribution. I am inspired by my patients for their will to live, to persevere despite trying times. I feel that I can do whatever is within my means to encourage them, to help in cancer research to fuel their hope to live.” said Dr Gilbert Fan, Master Medical Social Worker at NCCS. G.R.E.A.T. is an acronym which represents the causes which NCCS supports through its two charities – NCC Research Fund and Community Cancer Fund, set up to receive donations from supporters and well-wishers.
G.R.E.A.T. stands for:
G R E A T
IRO – make monthly donation via salary deduction in support of research or patient care initiatives ESEARCH – support cancer research at NCCS DUCATION – e m p o w e r p a t i e n t s , caregivers & healthcare workers with knowledge to fight against cancer SSISTANCE – financial help for needy patients & their families RAINING – e q u i p p a t i e n t s a n d caregivers with self-help tips and teach volunteers skills to help patients
The employee giving programme not only boosts our public image but can attract future employees who want to work in a compassionate, generous and caring environment. The G.R.E.A.T@NCCS Staff Giving Programme was launched in May 2011 and since then, NCCS employees have raised close to $450,000 for cancer research and patient care initiatives at the centre. Today, more than 660 employees participate in employee giving, which is approximately 71% of NCCS’ total workforce. At NCCS, we hope to embrace philanthropy into our culture, a cornerstone of our corporate citizenship and an enduring giving culture that stems directly from our organisation’s core values where we put patients at the heart of all we do. NCCS was recently awarded the Singapore Service Excellence Medallion on 18 May 2015 for having pushed the boundaries to inspire a transformation in the local service industry by exhibiting strong service leadership and culture, people practices, service systems and innovation which led to superior customer experiences. Our employees have made a difference in support of our mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with our patients, our donors and wellwishers and the community. Giving has been linked to better well-being, sleep, mental health and increased immune health. Sometimes life experiences inspire us to make donations to lighten the burden of others or to show support for a programme we know greatly benefits our community. We are proud to have generous staff who believe in investing back into the organisation to make good happen. Professor Soo Khee Chee, Director, NCCS once said “….because you cannot expect others to do what we ourselves are not prepared to do!”
To learn more about giving to support the cancer cause, please visit NCCS’ website: www.nccs.com.sg or email Community Partnership at donate@nccs.com.sg or telephone 6236 9440.
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NURSING LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION
MS CHUA GEK PHIN
MS LIAN SIEW BEE
Ms Chua Gek Phin, who has served as Director of Nursing in NCCS since 3rd December 1998 has been appointed Director, Patient & Family Education in the Division of Community Outreach & Philanthropy on 1st April 2015.
Ms Lian Siew Bee, who has served as Assistant Director of Nursing in the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has taken the torch from Gek Phin and has been appointed Acting Director of Nursing in NCCS on 1st April 2015.
Gek Phin has contributed much as a pioneer in NCCS by setting up and developing the Department of Nursing, laying a strong foundation for the delivery of holistic nursing care, establishing a patient-focused culture, and nurturing a group of committed and promising nursing professionals to support NCCS’ vision to be a global leading cancer centre.
Siew Bee is an oncology-trained Advanced Practice Nurse who, besides her clinical practice, has been instrumental in directing the standards of oncology nursing practice in SGH. She was actively involved in nurturing and strengthening the skills and knowledge of nurses through various oncology training in SGH. She also holds an appointment at the nursing faculty in Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore.
For her significant contribution to her profession, she received the prestigious President’s Award for Nurses in 2013. In 2004, she also won the Ministry of Health Commendation Award, among many other accolades.
Congratulations to Gek Phin on the new appointment and our acknowledgements to her invaluable contributions and stewardship of the Department of Nursing.
With over 20 years of oncology nursing experience, an unwavering passion coupled with her dynamic clinical and management skills, Siew Bee will be an invaluable asset to our continual improvement to oncology nursing in NCCS.
Congratulations to Siew Bee on the new appointment.
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THE JOURNEY AWAY FROM THE NUMBER ONE KILLER BY ALICIA PANG Cancer Education & Information Service
In conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day, the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) celebrated CanSurvive 2015 on 7 June 2015 at Damai Secondary School with a carnival-style cancer awareness roadshow! Themed “Empowering One Against Cancer”, the event aims to encourage all members of the public and cancer survivors to empower themselves and their loved ones with the knowledge to fight against cancer.
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hrilling performances such as heart-pumping Zumba by the Ain Society (AIN), and soothing serenades by The Revival Connection musicians entertained the crowds. Activities at the roadshow included games and quizzes, cancer information exhibits and booths and healthy snacks geared towards adopting a healthier lifestyle. In addition, Health Promotion Board, Breast Screen Singapore and Singapore Cancer Society were among the supporters at the roadshow. Participants were able to learn more about lung health, breast screening and colorectal screening and how these screening programmes can reduce the impact of cancer.
(From left to right) Dr Sethi Vijay Kumar, Mr Haji Mohd Yusof Ismail, Mr Gan Kim Yong and Mr Abdul Malek Bin Osman
(左起) Sethi Vijay Kumar医生、Haji Mohd Yusof Ismail先生、颜金勇先生和 Abdul Malek Bin Osman先生
On this special day, the first Cancer Education Bus was launched in collaboration with Ain Society. Gracing the event were Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong, Acting Director of NCCS Dr Sethi Vijay Kumar, President of AIN Mr Abdul Malek Bin Osman and CEO of AIN Mr Haji Mohd Yusof Ismail. The inception of the Cancer Education Bus came about two years ago when NCCS started community outreach events. The public education team has given talks at schools, community clubs and various organisations as well as held exhibitions and roadshows in these premises. In a bid to lead and promote anti-cancer advocacy, the Cancer Education Bus is a new medium of education to reach out to the community. Working hand in hand with AIN, the Cancer Education Bus will rove around the island to the heartlands, community clubs and schools to promote cancer awareness.
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
Our hardworking colleagues behind the scene
A member of the public browsing the information posters
我们的幕后同事
公众浏览癌症讯息展示板上的信息
Learning how to do Breast Self-Examination
Spinning the wheel at the “I Quit” counter
公众向护士学习如何自行检查乳房健康
公众在“我戒（烟）了”游戏轮试试运气
The bus, which is wrapped with cancer awareness messages, will increase the visibility of the anti-cancer message as it roves around Singapore. The Cancer Education Bus is retrofitted with cancer information panels, interactive multimedia, tablets with quizzes and games related to cancer as well as viewing of cancer cells on board. This project was made possible through AIN, who provided the city bus and support for maintenance of the bus.
We look forward to have you join us in empowering your loved ones with the right knowledge against cancer in October at our Breast Cancer Awareness Month Roadshow. For enquiries about community outreach events and the Cancer Education Bus, please kindly email to hope@nccs.com.sg or call the Cancer Helpline at 6225 5655. Trying her hand at the Colorectal Quiz Activity 公众参与结肠直肠问答活动
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驶离第一号 杀手 彭薇洳 癌症教育与资讯服务
为配合国立癌症幸 存者日，新加坡国 立癌症中心于2015 年 6月7日在达迈中 学主办了一次富有 嘉年华会气氛的路 演。这个以“赋权对 抗癌症”为主题的 活动希望能够让公 众和癌症幸存者掌 握防癌和抗癌的知 识，鼓励公众积极 搜集相关的信息。
The Cancer Education Bus 癌症教育巴士
在场公众除了欣赏到由
在这特别的一天里， 卫生部长颜金勇和新加坡国立癌症
爱恩协会 (Ain Society)
中心代院长Sethi Vijay Kumar、爱恩协会会长 Abdul
重燃生命小组 (The Revival
Malek Bin Osman和爱恩协会执行董事Haji Mohd Yusof Ismail也为本地首辆癌症教育巴士主持了开幕仪式。
呈现充满朝气的尊巴舞表演、
Connection) 的乐手所带来 的悠扬乐曲外，也在路演上
通过癌症信息有关的游戏、 以及健康零食站所供应的 健康食品等等。
新加坡国立癌症中心的公众教育小组在两年前开始展开社区活动，由于癌症 教育所需要用到的教材甚多，运筹上面对的种种障碍使团队开始对癌症教育 巴士的构思。公众教育小组至今已经到学校、民众具乐部和各个机构主办癌 症讯息的演讲、展览和路演。有了专属巴士后，把癌症讯息传送到新加坡各 个角落。因此癌症教育巴士将成为我们向大众宣导防癌抗癌信息的工具。
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
Education Counters 教育站
Multimedia touchscreen and quiz and games tablets 互动多媒体屏幕、装有癌症相关问答游戏的平板电脑
巴士的外在图案设计包含了抗癌信息，当巴士在路上 行驶时，沿途民众能清楚地看到。巴士内部的装潢包 括了癌症咨询板，多媒体癌症讯息屏幕、装有癌症相 关问答游戏的平板电脑。爱恩协会是巴士的赞助商， 协会也资助巴士的维修以及司机的费用。
在10月的乳房意识月里，我们将主办每年一次的路演。 希望您与您的家人/朋友能参与有关乳癌的资讯。谨此 期盼您能到来。欲知更多有关我们的社区外展活动以及 癌症教育巴士的信息，请电邮 hope@nccs.com.sg 或拨打癌症援助热线 6225 5655 。 Cancer cells viewing station 癌细胞看台
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OUTREACH – PUBLIC FORUMS
Event
Date, Time, Venue
Registration
Liver Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Liver Cancer
12 September 2015, Saturday
Free Admission
ENGLISH SESSION Time: 11.15am to 12.30pm (Registration: 11.00am to 11.15am)
Strictly no admission for children below 12 years old.
TOPICS: • Anatomy & functions • Risk factors • Signs & symptoms • Early detection & prevention • Screening & treatment • Recent advanced therapies
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How Far Are You From the Number One Female Cancer? TOPICS: • Intra-Operative Radiotherapy and oncoplastic surgery • Adjuvant treatment for Breast Cancer • Rehabilitation after Breast Cancer surgery
Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
Registration is a MUST as seats are limited. PHONE REGISTRATION ONLY Please call: 6225 5655 Monday – Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
3 October 2015, Saturday
Free Admission
MANDARIN SESSION Time: 9.15am to 10.30am (Registration: 9.00am to 9.15am)
Strictly no admission for children below 12 years old.
ENGLISH SESSION Time: 11.15am to 12.30pm (Registration: 11.00am to 11.15am) Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
Registration is a MUST as seats are limited. PHONE REGISTRATION ONLY Please call: 6225 5655 Monday – Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
The information is correct at Press time. NCCS reserves the right to change programmes or speaker without prior notice.
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
OUTREACH – CANCERWISE WORKSHOP
Event
Date, Time, Venue
Registration
CancerWise Workshop – Beat Cancer Blues with Exercise and Relaxation
22 August 2015, Saturday
Free Admission
ENGLISH SESSION 1.00pm – Registration 1.30pm to 2.35pm – Workshop starts
Strictly no admission for children below 12 years old.
TOPICS: • The relationship between exercise and cancer • Make fitness work for you-Choose the right exercise • Getting fit after cancer • Maintaining a healthy weight
Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610 MANDARIN SESSION 1.00pm – Registration 1.30pm to 2.35pm – Workshop starts
Registration is a MUST as seats are limited. PHONE REGISTRATION ONLY Please call: 6225 5655 Monday – Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
Function Room, Level 4 National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
CancerWise Workshop – Heptatitis B and Its Link to Liver Cancer TOPICS: • What is Hepatitis? • Types of Hepatitis • Causes of Hepatitis B • Signs & symptoms of Hepatitis B • The link between Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer • Treatment & prevention of Hepatitis B • Living with Hepatitis B
CancerWise Workshop – Sexual & Body Image Concerns in Breast Cancer (For ladies only) TOPICS: • Impact of Breast Cancer and treatment on body image • Physical impact • Psychological concern • Achieving a healthy body image • Adjusting to changes in body image and sexuality • Support needs related to body image and sexuality
12 September 2015, Saturday
Free Admission
Session will be conducted in English.
Strictly no admission for children below 12 years old.
1.00pm – Registration 1.30pm to 3.30pm – Workshop starts Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
Registration is a MUST as seats are limited. PHONE REGISTRATION ONLY Please call: 6225 5655 Monday – Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
3 October 2015, Saturday
Free Admission
Session will be conducted in English.
Strictly no admission for children below 12 years old.
1.00pm – Registration 1.30pm to 3.30pm – Workshop starts Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium National Cancer Centre Singapore 11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
Registration is a MUST as seats are limited. PHONE REGISTRATION ONLY Please call: 6225 5655 Monday – Friday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
The information is correct at Press time. NCCS reserves the right to change programmes or speaker without prior notice.
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OUTREACH – UPCOMING EVENT
Event
Date, Time, Venue
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Roadshow
17 October 2015, Saturday
ACTIVITIES:
11am to 6pm
Cancer Education Bus, cancer information poster exhibits, breast self-examination counter, mammogram screening information, interactive game booths, upcoming events and cancer information publications subscriptions.
Woodlands Civic Centre Atrium
(Tokens of participation will be given out!)
The information is correct at Press time. NCCS reserves the right to change programmes or speaker without prior notice.
www.runforhope.sg
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REGISTRATION FOR RUN FOR HOPE 2016 IS OPEN!
Photo by Royce Ramirez
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
SEMINARS / FORUMS / TUMOUR BOARDS / SMC-CME ACTIVITIES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ONLY
AUGUST 2015 Date
Time
Event Information Lung Tumour Board Combine SGH-NCCS Meeting
6, 13, 20, 27
11.30 am
5.00 pm
Registration Contact
1
Christina Lee Siok Cheng 6326 6095 christina.lee.s.c@nhc.com.sg
1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
@ SGH Blk 2 Level 1, Radiology Conference Room NCCS-SGH Joint Lymphoma Workgroup Meeting
6
CME Pt
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room NCCS Tumour Board Meetings:
Lim Shufen / Ella 6436 8283 / 6436 8294 dsolsf@nccs.com.sg / Nursuhaila.rahmat @ nccs.com.sg
5, 12, 19, 26
4.30 pm
Sarcoma Tumour Board Meeting
1
5, 12, 19, 26
5.00 pm
Surgical Oncology Tumour Board Meeting
1
3, 17, 24. 31
5.00 pm
Head & Neck Tumour Board Meeting
1
Daphne 6436 8592 pakiam.marie.daphne@nccs.com.sg
1
Evelyn Loy 6236 9495 evelyn.loy.t.h@nccs.com.sg
1
Saratha / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8165 / 6436 8174 saratha.v.gopal@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
1
Carol Tang / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8539 / 6436 8174 nnotwc@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room S’Health Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Tumour Board 5, 12, 19, 26
1.00 pm
@ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium NCCS Neuro Onco Tumour Board Meeting
25
5.00 pm
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room
Endocrine and Rare Tumour Meeting 27
7.30 am
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room Upper GI Tumour Board Meeting
13, 27
12.30 pm
@ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium
Journal Club 21
1.00 pm
Topic: To be advised @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room Teaching Session
28
1.00 pm
Topic: To be advised @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room
17
18
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
SEMINARS / FORUMS / TUMOUR BOARDS / SMC-CME ACTIVITIES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ONLY
SEPTEMBER 2015 Date
Time
Event Information
3
5.00 pm
NCCS-SGH Joint Lymphoma Workgroup Meeting
CME Pt 1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
1
Saratha / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8165 / 6436 8174 saratha.v.gopal@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
1
Carol Tang / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8539 / 6436 8174 nnotwc@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room 22
5.00 pm
NCCS Neuro Onco Tumour Board Meeting @ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room
17
7.30 am
Endocrine and Rare Tumour Meeting @ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room
10
12.30 pm
Upper GI Tumour Board Meeting
Registration Contact
@ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium NCCS Tumour Board Meetings:
Lim Shufen / Ella 6436 8283 / 6436 8294 dsolsf@nccs.com.sg / Nursuhaila.rahmat@nccs.com.sg
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
4.30 pm
Sarcoma Tumour Board Meeting
1
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
5.00 pm
Surgical Oncology Tumour Board Meeting
1
7, 14, 21, 28
5.00 pm
Head & Neck Tumour Board Meeting
1
Daphne 6436 8592 pakiam.marie.daphne@nccs.com.sg
1
Christina Lee Siok Cheng 6326 6095 christina.lee.s.c@nhc.com.sg
1
Evelyn Loy 6236 9495 evelyn.loy.t.h@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room 3, 10, 17
11.30 am
Lung Tumour Board Combine SGH-NCCS Meeting @ SGH Blk 2 Level 1, Radiology Conference Room
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
1.00 pm
S’Health Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Tumour Board @ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium
18
1.00 pm
Journal Club (Topic: To be advised) @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room
25
1.00 pm
Teaching Session (Topic: To be advised) @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room
3rd Singapore Sarcoma Consortium Education and Research Meeting 2015
Date
Venue
Registration / Details
12, 13
@ Academia, SGH Campus
http://www.nccs.com.sg/Pages/SarcomaMeeting.aspx
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
SEMINARS / FORUMS / TUMOUR BOARDS / SMC-CME ACTIVITIES FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ONLY
OCTOBER 2015 Date
Time
Event Information
1
5.00 pm
NCCS-SGH Joint Lymphoma Workgroup Meeting
CME Pt 1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
1
Saratha / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8165 / 6436 8174 saratha.v.gopal@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
1
Jennie Tan 6436 8280 jennie.tan.l.k@nccs.com.sg
1
Carol Tang / Ang Hui Lan 6436 8539 / 6436 8174 nnotwc@nccs.com.sg / dmoahl@nccs.com.sg
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room 27
5.00 pm
NCCS Neuro Onco Tumour Board Meeting @ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room
29
7.30 am
Endocrine and Rare Tumour Meeting @ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room
8, 22
12.30 pm
Upper GI Tumour Board Meeting
Registration Contact
@ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium
NCCS Tumour Board Meetings:
Lim Shufen / Ella 6436 8283 / 6436 8294 dsolsf@nccs.com.sg / Nursuhaila.rahmat@nccs.com.sg
7, 14, 21, 28
4.30 pm
Sarcoma Tumour Board Meeting
1
7, 14, 21, 28
5.00 pm
Surgical Oncology Tumour Board Meeting
1
5, 12, 19, 26
5.00 pm
Head & Neck Tumour Board Meeting
1
Daphne 6436 8592 pakiam.marie.daphne@nccs.com.sg
1
Christina Lee Siok Cheng 6326 6095 christina.lee.s.c@nhc.com.sg
1
Evelyn Loy 6236 9495 evelyn.loy.t.h@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
1
Phua Chay Sin 6704 2037 ddipcs@nccs.com.sg
@ NCCS Level 2, Clinic C, Discussion Room 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
11.30 am
Lung Tumour Board Combine SGH-NCCS Meeting @ SGH Blk 2 Level 1, Radiology Conference Room
7, 14, 21, 28
1.00 pm
S’Health Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Tumour Board @ NCCS Level 4, Peter & Mary Fu Auditorium
16
1.00 pm
Journal Club (Topic: To be advised) @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room
23
1.00 pm
Teaching Session (Topic: To be advised) @ NCCS Level 1, Mammo Suite Discussion Room
19
20
SALUBRIS JULY – SEPTEMBER 2015
10 YEARS 12 ASCO AWARDS RECOGNISING YOUNG SCIENTISTS IN NCCS The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a professional oncology society committed to conquering cancer through research, education, prevention and delivery of high-quality patient care. Since 2005 to-date, including the recent win by Dr Chay Wen Yee, young scientists in NCCS have been recognised by ASCO with a total of two Young Investigator Awards and ten Merit Awards. With quality research work, NCCS continues to strive towards its Common Purpose, which is to offer its patients Hope, by providing the best care, by having the best people and by doing the best research.
2 4
5
1
7 6
8
3
4. Dr Tira Tan
1. Dr Melvin Chua Registrar (Merit Award 2013)
Registrar (Merit Award 2013)
5. Dr Iain Tan
2. Dr Tan Min-Han Visiting Consultant (Merit Award 2005, 2006)
Consultant (Young Investigator Award 2010; Merit Award 2011)
Consultant (Merit Award 2014)
8. Dr Daniel Tan Consultant (Young Investigator Award 2009; Merit Award 2010)
Consultant (Merit Award 2012, 2013)
PUBLISHED BY NCCS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Editorial Advisors
Medical Editor
Members, Editorial Board
Prof Kon Oi Lian Prof Soo Khee Chee Dr Tan Hiang Khoon
Dr Richard Yeo
Ms Lita Chew Dr Mohd Farid Ms Sharon Leow Ms Jenna Teo Dr Melissa Teo Dr Teo Tze Hern
Mr Sunny Wee
Consultant (Merit Award 2015)
6. Dr Joanne Ngeow
3. Dr Tiffany Tang
Editorial Consultant
7. Dr Chay Wen Yee
Executive Editors Ms Rachel Tan Mr Edwin Yong Ms Siti Zawiyah
SALUBRIS
is produced with you in mind. If there are other topics related to cancer that you would like to read about or if you would like to provide some feedback on the articles covered, please email to corporate@nccs.com.sg.
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