Singapore celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day in June. 

Several survivors’ stories were highlighted and a common theme was the desire to continue living life well despite cancer. 

As a 10-year survivor of rectal and testicular cancer, I fully identify with their experiences. 

Advances in treatment mean that more Singaporeans are living longer with cancer, making it akin to chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. 

It is therefore timely to address the survivorship experience holistically with a national cancer care plan. 

Cancer survivors like me still have much to give back. 

For instance, I have trekked in the Gobi Desert, which stretches across parts of China and Mongolia, to raise funds for cancer and am active in Cancer Can Give, a survivors’ volunteer movement. 

Feeling like a valued member of the community is an important part of survivorship that often gets overshadowed by the medical aspects.

One significant area that should be included in the national care plan is the employment of survivors, as several Singapore studies have shown that cancer survivors experience discrimination in workplaces. 

A study conducted among colorectal cancer patients at the Singapore General Hospital and published last year found that many experienced persistent social stigma that hindered their inclusion in the workforce. 

A framework to protect the employment of cancer survivors could be created through job support schemes, manpower laws and guidelines by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.

Strong psychosocial support is crucial at every step in the cancer journey. 

This could include creating personalised survivorship plans that are coordinated across the spectrum of medical and social services as well as running patient groups for different types of cancers on a national level to complement the activities of non-governmental organisations.

It is also important to destigmatise cancer through national campaigns to raise awareness of the survivability of the disease. 

Asian culture makes us reticent about discussing serious illnesses in public, which leads to isolation. 

Destigmatising cancer would enable us to have open conversations, which would help survivors feel embraced as part of the community.

Finally, cancer exacts a heavy financial toll. Many patients would not be able to afford life-saving treatment without the basic health insurance plan MediShield Life and MediSave, the national medical savings scheme, as the first layers of financial aid. 

As medicine advances, and new and effective treatments come on stream, continued inclusion of these in our national health insurance schemes would ensure that patients have access to the latest therapies to improve their chances of recovery.

Every day, at least 36 people in Singapore are told they have cancer. 

A comprehensive national cancer care plan would enable survivors like me to continue being productive members of society for as long as we can. 

This would go a long way towards conserving Singapore’s one and only resource: Our people.

ABOUT THE WRITER:  

Mr Ellil Mathiyan Lakshmanan is a double cancer survivor who is actively involved in survivorship advocacy. He is the co-chair of the SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network, co-founder and president of the Ostomy Association of Singapore, and an active participant in Cancer Can Give, a volunteer movement for cancer survivors and their caregivers. 

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