The Resilient Spirit: Karen’s Journey Through Two Cancers

Karen Ng never dreamed she would have to face the daunting challenge of battling two types of cancer simultaneously.

As a business manager and mother of two, the 36-year-old Singaporean is a spirited woman, deeply devoted to her family.

Given her family history of colon cancer, she prioritised a healthy lifestyle, diligently attended health check-ups, and ensured she underwent yearly colon screenings.

However, her life took an unexpected turn when she experienced severe health issues that would eventually lead to her dual cancer diagnoses.

It all started with a huge blood clot during heavy menstruation

Karen had always considered her heavy menstruation normal until August 2022, when she discovered an unusually large blood clot during her period.

This prompted her to seek medical advice from her gynaecologist, who conducted an ultrasound that eventually revealed a thickened uterus.

A diagnostic procedure, dilation and curettage (D&C), was then recommended to confirm the initial findings.

“The result was supposed to come in three weeks, but in less than a week… the clinic called me,” Karen recalls. “That’s when I knew it wasn’t good.”

“When I arrived at the clinic, the doctor shook his head and said: “I don’t have good news for you.”

The diagnosis was Stage 1A uterine cancer.

This means that the cancer is currently confined within the endometrium, the outermost layer of her uterus, and has not spread into deeper layers of the uterus or surrounding tissues.

This revelation was shocking for Karen, who had anticipated some health issues but never imagined it would be cancer.

Turning to loved ones for support after breaking the news of uterine cancer

Karen remembers the moment she informed her husband of the news.

“My husband went to park his car, and when I came out from the clinic, he saw my face and knew something was wrong. I told him I had cancer, and he was taken aback.”

“He hugged me and told me he would follow me through the journey.”

In the days following her diagnosis, Karen reached out to her insurance agent to confirm that her health insurance would cover the necessary treatments, alleviating any worries about medical costs.

The support from her family, especially her husband and mother-in-law, was key in helping her navigate the initial emotional turmoil.

She went for a PET scan before her uterine cancer surgery… but found another cancer instead

To determine the next steps for her uterine cancer diagnosis, Karen sought recommendations for specialists from her family and friends.

Upon the advice of her sister-in-law, she visited Dr Cindy Pang from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, a gynaecologic oncologist who specialises in diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive system.

During the consultation, Dr Pang addressed Karen’s questions, and worked with her closely to develop a personalised treatment plan, ensuring that the chosen surgical approach would be the most effective and appropriate for her condition.

Due to Karen’s early onset of cancer and her family history of colon cancer, Dr Pang recommended a full-body position-emission tomography (PET) scan, a medical imaging examination that is highly effective at identifying the presence of cancer cells in other parts of the body.

The scan revealed an unexpected nodule in Karen’s right lung.

The result shocked Karen.

“I was like… what? I've never smoked in my life,” she says.

To investigate further and determine the nature of the nodule, Karen underwent a biopsy on her lung.

“At that point of time, I still believed there's hope it's not cancer,” Karen says.

While waiting for the results of the lung biopsy, she went for a total hysterectomy at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital to manage her uterine cancer.

At Dr Pang’s recommendation, Karen underwent a total hysterectomy at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in November 2022.

This surgical procedure removes the uterus (womb) and also the cervix, to eliminate cancerous cells and prevent further spread of the disease.

The operation included the removal of ovaries, which will lead to hormone imbalance, but it was deemed necessary to prevent future cancer risks.

“My decision was easy,” Karen says. “I wanted to remove everything since I no longer intend to do anymore family planning.”

On the day she was discharged from hospital, however, Karen received confirmation that her lung nodule was indeed cancerous.

Karen met with Dr Koong Heng Nung, a general surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital who specialises in lung and breast surgery.

He carefully explained to Karen about her Stage 1B lung cancer: the tumour was small – between 3 and 4cm – and the cancer has not yet spread outside of the lung.

“Dr Koong explained that since my lung cancer is at an early stage, I have the option to remove sections of my lungs containing the tumour,” Karen says.

“He was very thoughtful in the explanation and cleared all my doubts. His reassurance made me safe.”

The mental and emotional impact of dealing with two cancers… fears and what-ifs

For Karen, facing with dual diagnoses was shocking and emotionally taxing. She struggled with fears of mortality, particularly concerning her young daughters and their future without her.

“I have two young children, and I think… what are they going to do without me?” Karen says. “That was my biggest concern.”

Despite her fears, Karen maintained a positive front for her children, refraining from sharing the full extent of her condition.

“I want to be as positive as possible in front of them.”

Image credit: Karen Ng

She underwent a second surgery, a lobectomy, to treat her lung cancer… three months after her first surgery

Karen’ second surgery, a lobectomy to remove a section of her lung, was scheduled for 13 February 2023 at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, just a day before her birthday.

“It was not easy celebrating my birthday in the hospital, but I decided to go for it.” Karen recalls. “I just want to be cancer-free no matter what.”

Karen meticulously researched the recovery process and joined a support group on social media to better understand what to expect post-surgery. This preparation helped her manage the physical and emotional challenges that followed.

Recovering from the lung surgery was trying.

“I had a chest tube for drainage, and it was extremely painful,” Karen recalls. She had to rely on an external oxygen source and learn new breathing techniques to improve her oxygen levels.

Nevertheless, Karen tackled these challenges head-on, just as she had faced other obstacles in her life. She maintained her determination and positive attitude. “After being discharged from the hospital, I started with short walks each day,” she explains. “Gradually, I increased the distance to build up my stamina.”

About a month after the lobectomy, Karen received the happy news: she was cancer-free, with no need for follow-up chemotherapy.

She remains positive in the new discovery of a genetic condition… Lynch syndrome

Recently, Karen discovered through genetic testing that she has Lynch syndrome, a genetic colorectal cancer syndrome that puts her at increased risk of many cancers.

Having just overcome two cancers, this diagnosis could be discouraging. Karen, however, remains hopeful.

“I can’t do anything about my genes,” she says. “But I can go for regular screenings now to catch any cancer at its early stage, and also consult specialists for yearly colonoscopies.”

Finding new meaning and perspectives in life after cancer

Image credit: Karen Ng

Post-surgery, Karen’s perspective on life underwent a shift.

Because of her family history of cancers, she sometimes think: “When is the next cancer coming?”

However, rather than dwelling on when the next cancer might occur, she now chooses to prioritise happiness and regular health and cancer screenings. She expressed a desire to travel with her children, and to let go of the constant fear of cancer recurrence.

"I choose to stay happy and go for regular screenings," she shares. "I want to live life to the fullest.”

She is deeply grateful to the unwavering support from her friends, sister-in-law, husband, and daughters, as well as her doctors and medical team at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. This strong support system was instrumental in her journey, providing both emotional and practical help during her most challenging times.

Karen’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, the emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment, and the critical role of a supportive network in navigating such a difficult journey. Her resilience and positive outlook is an inspiration to all who face similar battles.