Public Version - National Cancer Centre Singapore

Issue No. 01 • MICA (P) 207/10/2008
an nccs bi-monthly publication
October / November 2008
...helping readers to achieve good health
Taking Cancer Care
to the next level
An interview with Prof Soo Khee Chee

Page A2
In Other Words
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Taking Cancer Care
to the next level...
The National Cancer Centre
Singapore (NCCS) is known
not just for its expertise in
cancer treatment but as
one of the key centres in
cutting-edge research. Behind
this success is its founding
director Prof Soo Khee Chee,
whose passion for research has
put NCCS on the world stage.
Be it 0730 hours or 1930 hours,
whichever time of the day you
pick, it is not uncommon to see
the lights at his office on the fourth
level of Goh Song Chiang Building.
Not an unearthly hour, yet many of us
would still be in our pyjamas. But not
for Prof Soo Khee Chee. Tranquility for
him is an opportunity to get his paper
work done.
In more than one way, Prof Soo, or just
Prof, as he is affectionately known to
his colleagues, wears many hats but is a
man of few words.
As NCCS Director, he is tasked with
looking into policy matters and research
projects. On his plate is the constant
need to raise funds to support these
research projects. He attends to patients
at his clinic, performs surgery, and also
shares his experience and expertise
with his specialists, as well as teach the
younger doctors. Not only that, he is the
Vice Dean, Clinical and Faculty Affairs,
of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical
School, and his latest additional role
is his appointment as Assistant CEO of
SingHealth Group overseeing research
and education.
Prof Soo is one of the
pioneers who saw the birth
of NCCS, and today runs it
with clockwork efficiency,
attending to the majority
of public patients. He is the
face of NCCS in the global
fraternity and is one of the
founders of the Asian National
Cancer Centres Network.
A firm believer in research, he is
constantly strategising and encouraging
his team of investigators and clinician
scientists. His prime worry is finding the
funds to keep their projects going. For
the Penang-born professor, his efforts
have not been in vain.
Today, NCCS is an example of what a
premier cancer centre should be. Teams
of specialists from various medical
disciplines work together, supported by
a talented pool of clinician scientists,
focusing on how the patients can benefit
from their discoveries. On hand are
also the latest medical equipment, for
example in radiation technology, so that
they can also leverage on advances in
IT to complement their efforts. NCCS, as
part of its comprehensive service, also
offers patients psycho-social counselling
and carries out a whole menu of support
programmes to help patients journey
through their illness.
Doctors at NCCS also carry out clinical
trials as they have a wide patient base
which is required for any trial to be
effective. This also means that the
doctors get to see the different types of
cancer and hence are better exposed
and experienced in responding to the
patients’ needs.
When asked about how things have
turned out so far, a modest Prof Soo said:
“I am pleasantly surprised that it has
worked out better than we thought.”
There were several issues that were
important for NCCS at the time of its
inception. One was to be able to create
various multi-disciplinary segments so that
sub-specialist care can be given to the
patients in an efficient and timely manner.
“This has turned out well because we are
now able to offer a comprehensive range
of specialist care in each of the major
cancer groups,” he added.

Today, NCCS is an example of what a premier cancer centre should
be. Teams of specialists from various medical disciplines work together,
supported by a talented pool of clinician scientists, focusing on how the
patients can benefit from their discoveries.
Page A3
In Other Words
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Prof Soo, who was recently
conferred the first national award
by the Ministry of Health in
recognition of his contribution to
mentoring young doctors, is not
one to rest on his laurels. One area
where he feels things could have
turned out better would be to
house all cancer specialists under
one umbrella, attending to cancer
patients throughout Singapore.
Getting
the
talents
The other consideration involved
recruiting highly talented scientists
to generate a regular flow of in-depth
research papers and create intellectual
property in a productive way given the
limitation in grants and other financial
support for research projects.
“NCCS is getting recognition for its
work not only within Singapore and the
region, but also globally,” said Prof Soo.
In fact each year, he also schedules a
few overseas trips to keep abreast of the
latest in cancer treatment. He is also
a sought-after speaker at distinguished
overseas gatherings.
“…But, what’s more important – winning
the prize or curing polio? Of course
it’s curing polio. It’s the science that’s
important, not the recognition.”
Prof Peter Courtland Agre 2003 Nobel Prize
in Chemistry, in reference to Jonas Salk who
though he made the polio vaccine, he never
won the Nobel Prize.
Some high profile research discoveries included the works by Dr Kon Oi Lian on
developing cell-based treatments for metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and
haemophilia A; colorectal cancer vaccine and T cell therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer
patients by Dr Toh Han Chong, and the role of the tumour-supressor genes, p53 and p73
by Prof Kanaga Sabapathy.
Now, NCCS has moved to the next level where it is sharing its expertise with others. Already
it has proven to be a fertile training ground for grooming cancer specialists in Singapore,
but now it has moved beyond its boundaries and are training specialists within the region.
Doctors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam are benefiting from this programme.
Prof Soo, who was recently conferred the first national award by the Ministry of Health
in recognition of his contribution to mentoring young doctors, is not one to rest on his
laurels. One area where he feels things could have turned out better would be to house all
cancer specialists under one umbrella, attending to cancer patients throughout Singapore.
So far NCCS has helped the other hospitals to set up clinics to provide cancer services
to their patients, such as at Changi General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s
Hospital, National University Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
NCCS continues to be the only centre providing training for healthcare providers in
palliative medicine, and with the setting up of the new Lien Centre for Palliative Care,
the training programme is expected to benefit even more people.
Asked how he retains talent within NCCS, he said the human resource structure is
undergoing some robust changes, and the main clinicians and scientific investigators
are now becoming faculty members of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. This
Duke-NUS collaboration will help create a more intellectual milieu for the campus
and advance the course of academic medicine. At the same time, it will train more
specialists to meet the demand of a greying and expanding population.
By Sunny Wee

Page A4
In Focus
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
A Cure at what Price?
– Searching for Personalised Yet Affordable Medicine
For five years, Prof Huynh The Hung
from the Laboratory of Molecular
Endocrinology in National Cancer
Centre Singapore (NCCS) and his team
have been working towards a noble dream.
They embarked on a journey to
come up with a personalised and yet
affordable medicine to treat cancer.
While personalised medicine is not
new, most researchers are focused on
looking for a treatment or drug that
works in treating cancer.
What sets this project apart is that the
cost of therapy for the patient, should the
treatment require more than two or three
drugs, is another key consideration.
Hence, Prof Huynh has to strike a
tough balance, which could possibly
explain why researchers often ignore the
question of cost.
This project entails taking tissues from
a tumour of, for example, a liver cancer
patient for implantation into the liver of
six to eight mice. These SCID mice, as
they are known, are immuno-deficient
and they are commonly used as hosts for
normal and malignant tissue transplants.
This process is known as surgical
orthotopic implantation and is believed
to be available only in NCCS for research
on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The tumours are then allowed to grow
in the mice while the team maps out
several treatments for them using a
combination of not more than three
different drugs. These drugs are then
administered to the mice as they would
be to the patients. The mice are then
monitored to gauge the response of the
different drugs or combinations of drugs
using the CT and PET scans.
In doing so, it gives the team an idea
of the combination of drugs that would
work best for the respective patients
whose tissues were grown in the mice.
However, due to the underlying liver
disease, not all patients are able to
donate their tumour tissue for making
xenografts and not all the HCC tissues
from the patients will successfully grow
in mice for drug testing. Furthermore,
many patients may not have enough
time to wait for the test results or be
able to finance the surgical orthotopic
implantation procedure or the drugs
recommended. In these cases, Prof
Huynh may still be able to find
effective solutions by comparing the
protein profile and/or gene signature
of the affected patient with other
patient-derived HCC xenografts in his
therapeutic programme database to
look for similarities and therapeutic
regimens. Following this, he may also
be able to recommend less expensive
drugs that are likely as effective.
Recently, NCCS joined hands with
AstraZeneca, an Anglo-Swedish
pharmaceutical firm, to test drugs to
combat HCC. The combination of drugs
being tested by the team is almost infinite.
Apart from testing new compounds
periodically provided by pharmaceutical
companies, they may also combine the
new compounds with existing drugs to
see if better results can be attained. And
even though Prof Huynh and his team
now primarily deal with liver cancer,
results of their work could potentially be
used on other solid tumours.
It was not smooth sailing for
Prof Huynh when he first embarked
on his research. In fact, it drew
a lot of flak from the research
community as tissues from patients
were implanted and grown under
the skin of the mice.
But his persistence has finally paid
off. With the new technique of
surgical orthotopic implantation,
many pharmaceutical companies
have been approaching him to do
pre-clinical testing for their new
drugs. Hopefully, in the near
future, this will result in patients
having access to drugs that are
personalised yet affordable.
By Carol Ang

FACE OF A CANCER CELL
Page B1
Looking Forward
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
The structure or form of a cancer cell
results from underlying abnormal
genetic changes that it has undergone.
Its features are best appreciated with
the light microscope, and in general, a
cancer cell will show an enlarged nucleus
reflecting the accumulation of abnormal
genetic material, and a conspicuous
nucleolus indicating increased cell
activity. Other typical alterations are
nuclear pleomorphism, referring to
variation in nuclear size and shape;
and hyperchromasia, which also results
from excess genetic material contained
in its chromatin. Often, a cancer cell is
described as revealing a high nuclearof
benign cells. In such instances, other
associated features of cancer are used
to corroborate a malignant diagnosis.
Do Cancer Cells Have a
Recognisable Relationship
with its Environment?
Cancer cells in groups and nests,
revealing pleomorphic nuclei,
prominent nucleoli and mitoses.
Cancer cells have the ability to invade the
surrounding tissues. They form tonguelike
groups and nests that permeate the
stroma, sometimes even extending into
blood vessels. The appearance of this
irregular invasion is the underlying reason
for its being called “cancer” which is
derived from the latin word for “crab”.
Structure of Cancer Cells
In order to recognise a cancer cell, we
need to be familiar with what makes a
normal cell. A cell consists of a nucleus
that contains the genetic matter, and
cytoplasm which holds its organelles
within a liquid environment. Cytoplasm
is the cell substance between the cell
membrane and the nucleus. Organelles
are structures that are enclosed within
its own membrane inside a cell and has
a particular function. The nucleus has
a small nucleolus that is involved in
forming protein.
cytoplasmic ratio, essentially implicating
enlargement of the nucleus that occupies
more of the individual cell volume. There
is also increased mitotic (cell division)
activity, reflecting rapid proliferation and
growth of the cancer cells; abnormal
mitoses such as tripolar mitoses may be
seen. These characteristics of a cancer
cell are termed anaplasia.
Just as symmetrical and regular features
lead to a pleasant face, anaplasia in a
cancer cell is contemplated as ugly.
Cancer Cell VS Normal or
Benign Cell
A normal or benign cell will not have
the described abnormal changes. It will
instead appear regular in shape and
size, and the nucleus will generally
have smooth contours. The chromatin
(the readily stainable substance of a
cell nucleus consisting of DNA and
RNA and various proteins) is fine
and the nucleolus inconspicuous.
The nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio is
not increased, and if mitoses are
discovered, they are normal in
appearance. There are some cancer
cells that are very well-differentiated,
such that their appearances mimic that
Other Associated Features
of Cancer Cells
Since cancer cells grow very quickly,
they can outstrip their blood supply,
resulting in necrosis or cell death. There
is haemorrhage or bleeding, due to new
vessel formation accompanying the
cancer growth, or destruction of vessel
walls by the invading cancer cells. The
connective tissue in which cancer cells sit
can respond by evoking a “desmoplastic”
reaction, which features loose fibroblastic
stromal cells surrounding the cancer cell
nests. The ability of cancer cells to invade
blood vessels allow them to circulate and
“metastasise” (spread) to other organs and
tissues of the body, distant from the site
of origin.
Conclusion
The cancer cell, while usually showing a
fairly characteristic face, may sometimes
assume less familiar appearances. It is
important to understand that the cancer
cell may have another countenance, and
that a definitive diagnosis of malignancy
relies on the careful interpretation of
tissue and cell material by a pathologist.
By Dr Tan Puay Hoon
Head, Senior Consultant, Dept of Pathology,
Singapore General Hospital

Page B2
Looking Forward
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
What Should I Eat To
Reduce My Risk of Cancer?
Eating is widely regarded as one of life’s basic joys. It is not easy for anyone to
change their dietary habits in response to advice about their health. However, with
increasing awareness of cancer, people are starting to pay attention to the kinds of
diet that may reduce the risks of eventually developing cancer.
We have less hard evidence on this subject than we would like, reflecting the
difficulties involved in reliably comparing dietary behaviours of people over a long
period. However, the enormous amount of data that has been reported allow us to
propose certain links between diet and cancer, as summarised in the table below:
Dietary Factors that Increase
Risk of Some Cancers
Obesity
Processed food such as canned meat or
“fast” (fried) food such as hamburgers and
french fries
Preserved (salted, cured, or smoked) food
Red meat, especially if char-grilled
Fat, especially animal fat or other
saturated fat
Excessive calories in any form e.g. sugar,
starch, cakes, chocolates, soft drinks,
beyond your daily energy requirement
Alcoholic drinks especially if more than
one per day
Food that are contaminated by fungi that
release mycotoxins (poisons produced by
fungi), or by Helicobacter bacteria, e.g.
rotten peanuts, stale meat or uncooked
meat, certain mushrooms
Chewing betel nut or tobacco
What Else Can I Do?
Exercise Regularly
Dietary Factors that Reduce
Risk of Some Cancers
Ideal body weight
Wholesome grains and fibre e.g. whole
wheat, bran, oatmeal, multigrain bread
Fruits and vegetables e.g. broccoli, cabbage,
carrots, tomatoes
White meat e.g. fish and lean poultry
(de-skinned)
Low fat food and other unsaturated fats e.g.
olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids (in fish)
Exercise daily for at least 30 mins
Folic acid found in green leafy vegetables
e.g. spinach, asparagus, kai lan, peas
and beans
Properly stored food e.g. refrigerated
Prompt disposal of food that have gone bad
Meticulous oral hygiene (including
dental flossing) to reduce bacterial growth
Many factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, stress and environment being the most
common have been linked to cancer. Like eating appropriately, regular exercise has
been linked to a reduced incidence of cancer. There is increasingly convincing evidence
that regular exercise may help to prevent cancer. Hence, cancer prevention would
involve targeting these factors. Studies involving diet, smoking, alcohol and obesity,
have indicated that obesity is a major risk factor of several types of cancer. Reviews
have indicated that regular physical activity reduces the risk of colon and breast
cancers. Exercise that targets the reduction of body fat causes changes in hormone level
and enhances the immune system.
Read Food Labels
It pays to scrutinise the ingredients
listed on labels. Manufacturers often
use misleading terms such as “sea
salt” instead of “salt”, or “sucrose” or
“fructose” instead of “sugar”. Products
that are labelled fat-free still contain
fat, but have to have less than 5g of
it to qualify as being “fat-free”. Here
are some numbers to remember when
reading labels and choosing products.
Low-fat:
Fat-free:
Less than 3g of fat
per serving
Less than 5g of fat
per serving
Low-cholesterol: Less than 20mg per
serving and less than
2g of saturated fat
Low-calorie:
Calorie-free:
Low-sodium:
Less than 40 calories
per serving
Less than 5 calories
per serving
140mg or less
per serving
Keep Your Child Slim
The best time to optimise dietary habits
is in childhood and adolescence. Try
to keep your children slim and active.
Avoid feeding them foods that contain
excess sugar, fat and carbohydrate, and
encourage some exercise each day. After
all, a lifetime of “healthy eating” may
reduce cancer risk by as much as 30%
to 50%, so it’s never too early to start!
Calculate Your Cancer Risk
You can estimate your risk of breast,
bowel, uterine, ovarian, or prostate
cancer by visiting the website
http://www.yourcancerrisk.harvard.edu/.

LESSONS FROM SURVIVORS
The lessons learnt after the diagnosis of cancer are common to many who have
suffered from this disease, and perhaps a few are unique to our experience.
Below is a compilation of valuable lessons learnt by survivors who had gone
through the cancer journey, which we would like to share with our readers.
Page B3
Tender Care
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Lesson 1
As the greatest physician, God
appreciates the value of a referral.
Early detection and prevention is
important. We went through many months
of denial and postponement that allowed
the cancer to advance. This can be totally
prevented. For those of us who have a
religion, we believe that God has given
our doctors an arsenal of treatments and
the will to find a cure. Whatever faith we
have embraced, our own God wants us to
have faith, but at the same time God wants
us to seek out earthly assistance.
Lesson 2
Make sure your doctor understands
that hope is a vital part of the
practice of medicine.
We heard repeatedly from our
doctors that attitude and faith had
an enormous effect on healing. One
wonders why more physicians are not
prescribing it. It is at least as effective
as some of our medications.
Lesson 3
Cancer is NOT an
infectious disease.
We will always be grateful for the
overwhelming love we received from
friends and family. But we are saddened
by several personal and professional
friends who never once responded
to our most basic need to show they
cared. The silence is deafening.
Lesson 4
Avoid doomsayers.
Just as it is vitally important to hear
encouragement from friends and family,
it is equally important to avoid those
who deliver gloom and doom. Seek out
people who radiate a positive glow, and
stay away from those who drain your
energy and confidence.
Lesson 5
The way you look affects
the way you feel.
It is terribly painful to lose one’s hair.
But if it is going to happen, get a
short haircut right away. It lessens the
trauma as the hair comes out. Wigs
can be an opportunity to experiment
with the different look you fancy.
Take special care to wear clothes that
make you feel attractive. Pay attention
to grooming and hygiene. Look for
humour and find opportunities to
laugh. It is one of God’s greatest gifts.
Nothing can make you feel and look
better than a smile.
Lesson 6
Cancer does NOT mean the
end of a sexual relationship.
It is not easy to talk about one of the
most personal aspects of life. The
closeness and bond between you
and your partner during this time are
critically important to maintain. While
the period following the diagnosis and
treatment requires untold patience
and understanding, normal sexual
relations can and should continue. It
is important to discuss this with your
doctor or nurse. They may be able to
offer some helpful tips or advice.
Lesson 7
Listen more, look more
and love more.
Cancer changes everything. But it
does not have to change everything
for the worse. Even in this terrible
situation, there is opportunity. It is
important to slow down and reevaluate
what and who is really
important in life. Cancer can bring
wonderful people into your life that
will give you strength, love and
special kindness.
Lesson 8
Listen more,
look more and
love more.
Strengthen your faith.
Cancer is a lonely disease but you do
not have to go through it alone. We are
no longer in denial and are able to go
on with our lives feeling enriched and
happier than ever. For many, having faith
in a religion helps and for those who do
not have a specific religion, talking about
your illness with your close friends and
relatives will help to strengthen your
hope and confidence to cope with it. We
have confidence in the future and know
that no matter what cancer has in store,
we are prepared for it.
Cancer Support
Programmes
The National Cancer Centre
Singapore conducts support
programmes for patients, their
families and cancer survivors to
address issues of living with cancer.
For more information, please call
the Cancer Helpline at 6225 5655 or
email: cancerhelpline@nccs.com.sg
Acknowledgement:
Special thanks to all cancer survivors for
sharing their thoughts and experiences.

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SALUBRIS
October / November 2008

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SALUBRIS
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SALUBRIS
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Page B8
Outreach
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Upcoming Public Education
activities / Programmes
Event Name Date, Time, Venue Registration Details
English Forum & Workshop –
Understanding Arm
Swelling in Breast Cancer
For breast cancer patients & healthcare
professionals.
Topics:
i) Reducing the Risk of Lymphoedema
ii) Non-surgical Treatment of Lymphoedema
iii) Surgical Treatment of Lymphoedema
18 Oct 2008, Saturday
12pm to 5pm (English)
Lecture Hall / Function Room, Level 4
National Cancer Centre ;Singapore
11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610
$5 per Person
Call: 6225 5655 / 6236 9434 / 6236 9432
Pink Bridges –
Walk for the Women
in Our Lives
For breast cancer survivors & healthcare
professionals.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month closes
with a walk along the Southern Ridges Trail,
from Mount Faber to HortPark.
25 Oct 2008, Saturday
4pm to 9pm
HortPark, Hyderabad Road
$10 for Adults
$5 for Children (3 to 12 years)
Dinner & goodie bag included
Call: 6436 8294 / 6436 8283 for enquiries
on the event. Registration by phone will not
be accepted.
CancerWise Workshop –
DIET & FITNESS IN CANCER
PREVENTION
Speaker: Ms Hozaidah Hosain
Principal Physiotherapist & Chief
Lymphoedema Management
SGH
TOPICS:
Mr Philip Chia
Private Chef & Consultant
Rice Cooking Studio, Singapore
i) The Role of Fitness in Cancer Prevention:
Achieving Your Ideal Weight • Make
Fitness Work for You – Choosing the
Right Exercise • Benefits of Exercise &
Fitness • Role of the Physiotherapist •
Getting Fit After Cancer
ii) The Role of Diet in Cancer Prevention:
Types of Diet to Reduce Cancer Risk •
Dietary Myths and Misconceptions •
Nutrition for Cancer Patients • Simple
Healthy Cooking Tips, Rice Cooking
Demonstration
22 Nov 2008, Saturday
1pm to 4.30pm (English)
Function Room, Level 4
National Cancer Centre Singapore
11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610
$10 for Public
$5 for Healthcare Professionals
CALL: 6225 5655
EMAIL: cancerhelpline@nccs.com.sg

NCCS Activities In and
Around the Community
Page A5
Community
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Public Forum
Advances in Cancer Research and Treatment
28th June 2008
HDB Convention Centre (HDB Hub), Auditorium
A well-attended forum where
NCCS medical oncologists, Dr Toh
Han Chong and Dr Tan Min-Han,
together with research scientist,
Mr Johnson Ng, of Biochip
Devises Pte Ltd, shared with
audiences on the cancer research
and treatment advancements.
The forum, which was conducted in
two sessions (Mandarin and English),
highlighted topics such as:
• Importance of Research in State-ofthe-Art-Cancer
Treatments
• New Experimental Therapies
• Converting Research to Bedside
Treatment
LIVER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Liver cancer is the 4th most common cancer among men and ranks number two in terms of fatality.
“Even so, there is potential hope for cure if individuals go for early detection and appropriate intervention,” said
Prof London Lucien Ooi, Chairman of Liver Cancer Awareness Month (Liver CAM) also Deputy Director and Senior
Surgical Oncologist at NCCS.
Thus, to educate and update the public, general practitioners (GPs) and specialists on the disease, treatment
options and prevention, NCCS held a public forum and sharing sessions with the medical professionals in
conjunction with the 1st Liver CAM held in September 2008.
Public Forum
Liver Cancer and You ~
Prevention and Treatment
6th September 2008
HDB Convention Centre (HDB Hub), Auditorium
About 850 participants
attended the English and
Mandarin forum and found
out more about liver cancer
and related issues such as
hepatitis B, which may lead
to liver cancer.
MEDICAL FORUM
LIVER CANCER AND GPS ~ TREATMENT
OPTIONS AND CASE STUDIES
20th September 2008
MAKING SENSE OF LIVER
CANCER MANAGEMENT
27th September 2008
Some 60 GPs benefited from a medical update on liver cancer
when they attended the special forum organised as part of this
year’s Liver CAM. A roundtable discussion session was also held
with specialists in the field.

Page A6
People
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
Award Winners, New
Appointments and More...
NCCS Shares Limelight at
Scientific Meeting
Pictured below, from left to right:
Dr Joanne Ngeow (right), Dr Ang
Mei-Kim, Dr Ho Gay Hui (right) and
Mr William Chin Wei Lim (left).
Three doctors and a Research Officer from National Cancer
Centre Singapore (NCCS) each walked away as winners at the
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) 17th Annual Scientific
Meeting which was held from 25th to 26th April 2008 at the
College of Medicine Building.
Staff from Outram Campus, namely,
SGH, NCCS, National Dental
Centre, National Heart Centre,
National Neuroscience Institute SGH
Campus, Singapore National Eye Centre
and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
were invited to submit an abstract of their
work to compete in 13 award categories.
Dr Joanne Ngeow, Registrar of the
Medical Oncology Department
clinched the Young Investigator’s
Award (Clinical) with her paper on
“PET/CT versus Conventional CT
Scans and Bone Marrow Biopsy in the
Initial Staging of Lymphoma Patients:
A Comparative Analysis”.
Her department colleague, Dr Ang
Mei-Kim, an Associate Consultant,
won the Best Poster (Clinical) prize
for her work which featured “A
Promising New Chemoimmunotherapy
Regimen for Advanced Hepatocellular
Carcinoma”.
Dr Ho Gay Hui, Senior Consultant of
the Surgical Oncology Department,
took home the second prize in
the Best Oral Paper (Clinical). Her
winning paper “Cancer Miss Rate in
Women Under 30 Who Undergone
Excision Biopsy of Clinically Benign
Breast Lumps without Preoperative
Ultrasonography”.
The Best Oral Paper (Scientist) prize
was awarded to Mr William Chin
Wei Lim, Research Officer of the
Laboratory of Photodynamic Diagnosis
and Treatment in the Medical Sciences
Division, for his paper on “Membrane
Transport Enhancement of Chlorin
e6 – Polyvinylpyrrolidone and its
Photodynamic Efficacy on the Chick
Chorioallantoic Model”.

Congratulations to All!
Page A7
People
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
SINGAPORE
YOUTH AWARDS
2008
On 6th July 2008,
Dr Tan Min-Han received
the Singapore Youth
Award (SYA), Science and
Technology category, from
Deputy Prime Minister Prof
S. Jayakumar at the Istana.
The SYA recognises and commends
contributions by youths who excelled
in their respective fields and served
the community in one way or the other.
Dr Tan Min-Han, an Associate Consultant
of the Medical Oncology Department,
NCCS, is also a dedicated researcher whose
work focuses on kidney cancer. He shuttles
between the laboratory and clinic where
he hopes the knowledge gained about
the disease can be translated to treating
his patients. Despite his busy schedule,
he would still spend time with the junior
doctors, medical students and even junior
college students to give them guidance.
Healthcare Humanity Award
Given out in year 2003 as the
Courage Award after the SARS
(Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) outbreak in Singapore, the
Healthcare Humanity Award, as it is now
known, recognises outstanding healthcare
workers who go the extra mile in caring
and comforting the sick and the infirmed.
Dr Joanne Ngeow, Registrar of the Medical Oncology
Department, NCCS, is one of the six doctors, to receive the
award from President S.R. Nathan at a presentation ceremony
held on 26th May 2008 at the NTUC Centre Auditorium.
Winners of the award are recognised for demonstrating values
such as courage, extraordinary dedication, selflessness,
steadfastness in ethics, compassion as well as humanity.
PROMOTIONS
Name
Dr Chua Eu Tiong
A/Prof Koong Heng Nung
Dr Fong Kam Weng
Dr Tan Yu Meng
Dr Wong Zee Wan
Dr Preetha Madhukumar
Dr Teo Ching Ching Melissa
Dr Quek Hong Hui Richard
Dr Ng Chee Hui Raymond
Dr Soong Yoke Lim
Dr N. Gopalakrishna Iyer
Dr Ang Mei-Kim
Dr Tan Min-Han
Dr Ngo Su-Mien Lynette
Title
Head, Radiation Oncology
Head, Surgical Oncology
Deputy Head, Radiation Oncology
Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology
Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology
Consultant, Surgical Oncology
Consultant, Surgical Oncology
Consultant, Medical Oncology
Consultant, Medical Oncology
Associate Consultant, Radiation Oncology
Associate Consultant, Surgical Oncology
Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology
Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology
Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology

Page A8
NCC Foundation
SALUBRIS
October / November 2008
NCC Foundation:
Why We Do What We Do
A leader once asked a
group of executives during
a corporate retreat: How do
you make this organisation an
interesting place?
This is an established company
in the service sector striving to
renew itself. Someone replied:
To be interesting, you have to
be interested.
In present terms, the primary functions of the NCC Foundation are to raise and manage
funds for the NCC Research Fund (NCCRF), the Centre’s registered charity and its
flagship fundraising and grant-making channel. NCCRF provides seeding and bridging
funds for strategic research needs at the institution. Fundraising and grant making are
thus the operative functions of the Foundation. Yet it is not just about money.
The NCC Foundation will be
celebrating its first birthday soon.
You may have seen our posters
around – in the lifts, beside the business
office, by the clinics; you may have
heard of or even participated in our
fundraising and outreach events –
‘Circle of Life’, ‘Light of Life’, ‘Muffins
Monday’ and our national event, the
‘Run For Hope’ in October. You sensed
our interest, but how does one define
this Foundation?
It is really about the idea of giving. Essentially, the Foundation hopes to facilitate giving
as part of National Cancer Centre Singapore’s (NCCS) cultural fabric. Giving can come
in various forms – of treasures, talents and time. There are grateful patients who donate
regularly, and there are others who leave significant bequeathment; there is a painter who
shares her talent in support of our cause; there is a warmhearted baker who donates fresh
pastries regularly; and there are staff who volunteer their time and efforts in our events.
These are all actual examples of giving which took place, and the Foundation hopes to
provide a holistically meaningful platform for all such practical and symbolic gifts.
Moving ahead, the Foundation will consolidate its bedrock and put in place programme
structures where different forms of giving can benefit the myriad areas of research, education
and patient welfare. Naturally, we work alongside the crucial support of various departments.
At this juncture, as the Foundation’s first birthday meets the 10th year anniversary of NCCS,
we would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to one and all who have guided us in our modest
beginning. We look forward to your continuous goodwill in our journey ahead.
By Eugene Sng
Programme Director, NCC Foundation
Editorial Advisors
Dr Kon Oi Lian
Prof Soo Khee Chee
Executive Editors
Ms Carol Ang
Ms Adeline Teo
Mr Sunny Wee
Contributing Editors
Dr Lim Soon Thye
Dr Wong Nan Soon
Members, Editorial Board
Ms Audrey-Anne Oei
Ms Sharon Leow
Ms Flora Yong
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 salubris@nccs.com.sg.
National Cancer Centre Singapore
11 Hospital Drive Singapore 169610
Tel: (65) 6436 8000 Fax: (65) 6225 6283
www.nccs.com.sg Reg No 199801562Z