SINGAPORE — When he was just 13, Goh Chang Teck was diagnosed by doctors with stage 1 mycosis fungoides and pityriasis lichenoides, which are two forms of skin cancer.

Characterised by red patches, sores, rashes and scaly skin, the diseases initially caused Goh great discomfort and embarrassment.

While Goh underwent medical treatments for his condition, he realised that the best way for him to overcome the diseases would be to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. And so his passion for exercise and running was born.

Three years ago, however, the Nanyang Polytechnic graduate suffered a relapse. And this time, the cancer had advanced to stage 2A.

It was a huge blow to Goh, as it ended his dreams of signing on with the army as an officer. But, with the support of his family and friends, the avid runner picked himself up and focused his energies on recovering.

As part of that road to recovery, Goh, now 23 and a marketing student at SIM University, continued running and has since completed more than 10 marathons and ultra-marathons, including the 100km Sundown Ultra Marathon in 2013.

He runs almost every day, clocks about 15km each time and is determined to continue this active lifestyle, which he believes helps to keep his illnesses at bay.

Goh will participate in the annual Run For Hope (RFH) in February, where he will be running the 10km route as an ambassador for the event.

As part of this week’s Why We Run series on people who run for a cause or a purpose, we spoke to Goh to find out more about his battles with cancer, and how running has helped to shape his life.

How did being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age affect you when you were growing up?

At first, when I was 13, I felt it was nothing. I did not even know it was cancer, because the doctors did not tell me anything. Some of my relatives knew about it, but they did not want to break the news to me at such a young age. I eventually found out about my diagnosis, because sores broke out all over my body, but I did not think much about it and I thought I would recover with time.

Thankfully my condition did not affect me much over the years, and I did manage to make a full recovery. So I was able to do things every normal schoolboy could do ... take part in sports, study and go to a polytechnic.

My classmates and friends also just thought the sores on my skin were eczema, and I am thankful that they accepted me for who I am. But it was only when I was doing my national service medical checkup when I found out that it had advanced from stage 1 to stage 2A.

How did you feel when you found out that your cancer had advanced?

I felt really lost. I asked myself “why me?” I was upset because I thought it would derail all my plans for my future. I had hoped to sign on with the army, but because of my condition, I could not. Instead, I had to burden my dad to pay for my education, and to support me again. I felt lost for a few weeks, but my family and friends were there to give me support, and I am grateful for that.

What medical treatments did you have to go through, and how did it affect your life?

I had to go for phototherapy when I was 13 ... they would shine artificial sunlight to penetrate the cancer cells deep within. But, after a while, I was getting lethargic and so we decided to stop the treatment and instead rely on eating healthy and doing more sports. That is when I picked up hockey, and so doing sports became a form of treatment for me.

But when I was re-diagnosed at 20, I had to go back for treatment again and, this time, I had to take another type of medicine that cost about S$500 every month, which was a huge financial burden on my family. The medicine also caused my body to go through changes, and my lips and skin to crack. Again, I decided after some time that I did not want to continue taking this medication, because it did not seem to be helping much.

I decided that eating well and doing sports would be better for me instead. It seems to have worked, because the doctors have told me that my cancer cells are dormant, although I still go for regular medical check-ups to monitor my condition.

Is this why you are so passionate about running?

Of course. My condition pushes me to exercise and do my running. So whenever I feel tired and do not feel like going out, I tell myself that I have to sweat it out because it will be good for my body. On days when I do not run, I feel unhealthy. Conversely, after a run, I feel really energetic.

How has running shaped your life?

Running has helped to build my character. My marathons have taught me determination. Running has also taught me that I must finish what I start, and take pride in whatever I do, no matter the outcome. It has taught me to focus on the process, rather than the result. It has taught me about focus and, I dare say, if I did not do sports or running, I would not be able to focus on my studies.

What is the ultimate goal you hope to achieve in running?

For now, my goal is to be able to one day take part in the Boston Marathon, which requires runners to meet a qualification timing in order to join it. Apart from that, maybe 10 years down the road, I hope to complete an Ironman.

Seeing as how you are so passionate about running, are you aiming to be a national runner as well?

I would not say I am talented ... I am more of a hard worker, someone who is willing to put in the miles. As for representing Singapore, that is still quite far-fetched, but that is my dream. So, if the opportunity comes up, and if I can train up to that level, why not?

Based on what you have experienced with cancer, what is the message you want to get across as an ambassador for Run For Hope?

I want to tell others that no matter how hard the going is, you just have to push through. When you are at your lowest, that is where you learn how to find the strength to push through, because the only way you can go from there is up. Once you go up and reach the peak, you will look back and realise that your problems previously were not that big. You will realise that, after having been through so much, you have the capacity to go even further.

For more information about Run For Hope, visit http://www.runforhope.sg/.