According to the latest study by the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), more than 2,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Singapore annually. Another not-so-fun fact: Abut one in six women found to be suffering from it here are below the age of 45 – and have been as young as 18 (click here for our Insta-friendly guide to why one’s never too young to start paying attention to the health of her breasts.)
At a time when youths are known to be vocal and, in doing so, have helped raise awareness and change perceptions on key issues such as mental health, conversation about breast cancer in Singapore remains – in Gez Z parlance – low-key. The impact of this is even more significant when one considers how the survival rate is actually high – if one discovers and treats the illness early. (For complimentary access to BCF’s latest paper on how everyone can take care of their breast health, scan the QR code here.)
So we got up close with three women who have in some way or another had a brush with breast cancer for their candid POV: the introspective 26-year-old pop darling Narelle Kheng, whose mother passed on from the illness when she was a child; the boisterous actress/comedian/social media influencer Munah Bagharib, who had a breast cancer scare two years ago when she was just 30; and the chic and effervescent Dr Li Jingmei, senior research scientist at A*Star, who has dedicated much of her career to studying – and spreading awareness – about breast cancer.
Consider this a PSA on breast cancer like no other – and start paying attention to the health of your breasts because it’s really not that hard to. (As Dr Li puts it, the approach is little different from how women do whatever they can to protect their skin and prevent that first wrinkle.)
EDITOR NOELLE LOH
VIDEOGRAPHER PHYLLICIA WANG
HAIR & MAKEUP MANISA TAN
NARELLE’S WARDROBE CHANEL TOP & HER OWN PANTS
MUNAH’S WARDROBE COS
DR LI’S WARDROBE LONGCHAMP
