Breast cancer is more than a diagnosis—it’s a journey of strength and transformation. In the #StrongerTogether series, we interview inspiring survivors who share their personal battles, from diagnosis to recovery and beyond. These women open up about their fears, resilience, and newfound self-love, reminding us that no one faces cancer alone. Through their stories, we hope to foster unity, hope, and empowerment within the community. Join us as we celebrate their courage and the power of being #StrongerTogether.

Q: Can you please share with me more on how you were diagnosed?

Faith: Actually, it was really a blessing in disguise. I was pregnant with my second one, so I was weaning off breastfeeding for my first. My breast had been lumpy since breastfeeding days, and I had mastitis a few times, so there were no concerns there. I went to the gynae to check it out, not expecting anything. Unfortunately, the next thing I know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Q: What stage were you when you were diagnosed?

Faith: My lumps were quite huge but because I was pregnant, they weren't able to do a lot of scans. It was more of just a biopsy, and they called it stage 2. 

Q: What were the first thoughts that went through your mind?

Faith: I couldn’t think. I broke down in front of the oncologist. It was only when I internalized and calmed myself down that I realized, what about my unborn child? I was actually thinking about my baby and what was about to come. What’s next? Would I live to see my firstborn grow up and give birth to my secondborn?

Q: How was your cancer treatment during your pregnancy?

Faith: The ideal scenario for my breast cancer was definitely surgery first, but the doctor highlighted that it would put the child at risk due to the long hours of general anesthesia. So I said that's out; I want to keep my baby. The next step was a relatively pregnancy-safe chemotherapy, which I decided to go ahead with. After that, the oncologist and the gynae had to decide when was the best time for me to give birth. The oncologist said as soon as possible, and the gynae said as long as possible to keep the baby in. I ended up giving birth at 32 weeks by inducing natural birth. Woohoo!

"Instead of focusing on my cancer journey, I realized I focused a lot on my unborn child. Also, being a mother to my firstborn, my family was my priority. My focus was really to do my best to get healthy so that I can live a long life and continue to grow old with my children."

Q: How did you learn to cope during that journey?

Faith: My name is Faith; I'm a Christian, so my faith definitely helped me. The question at the back of my mind was, "Why me?" But since it’s already me, what can I do about it? Being unhappy won’t take breast cancer away from me. I realized I should live one day at a time and be grateful for waking up another day with my children. Positivity is so important.

Q: Can you share a moment when support from fellow survivors or patients made a significant difference in your recovery?

Faith: I reached out for support after reading a Straits Times article about a fellow pregnant lady who went through breast cancer, Ida. I connected with her on IG, and she was very open about supporting me emotionally. That helped me a lot in my healing journey. When I Googled “breast cancer, what’s next?” everything led to death. I needed a story of hope to hold on to, and since Ida had been through it and came out strong, that gave me hope that I could do it too.

Q: What kinds of resources, emotional or otherwise, do you think are still missing for cancer survivors and patients?

Faith: There are many resources available, but it’s more about navigating through the sea of information to get what you need. For instance, when I was diagnosed, I didn’t know about the Singapore Cancer Society; I only knew about the Breast Cancer Foundation. More information needs to be readily available, perhaps through brochures or resources at hospitals.

Q: Do you think you have fully emotionally recovered from your cancer journey?

Faith: It's like grief; it’s a lifelong process. To say I’ve fully recovered, I don't dare to say that. There are bad days, and it’s a lifelong journey. But I know I’ve overcome such an ordeal and come out stronger. I feel empowered most days, but the thought of relapse can linger at the back of my mind.

Q: What has been the most empowering moment for you when reconnecting with your body after your breast cancer journey?

Faith: I think it's a mindset, really. I can't change—of course, I can exercise and lose some weight; that’s part of my physical body. But the scar is there. It’s a battle scar, and we’ve gone through such tough times. Our body survived cancer!

"It’s when I look in the mirror and really accept me for who I am right now, for what I can't change, but for what I can become. I’ve learned to love myself, to practice self-love and acceptance."

Q: So what does feeling beautiful mean to you now?

Faith: Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder for me. I don't define it as physical appearance anymore. When we were younger, we always thought, "Oh, that girl is so beautiful." But it's inside out; it’s really what you are inside, the confidence you radiate, the vibes you have that make a person beautiful. You can be the most beautiful girl physically, but if your soul is nasty, in the long run, people will shy away from you if your beauty is only skin deep.

Q: So tell me more about this outfit that you picked, right? Why do you wear this really colorful thing? I just said to bring something that matches your personality, what you actually want to wear, and then you came with this. I was like, "Oh, that's interesting."

Faith: I'm a very colorful person, and I actually like my shoulders a lot. I think my personality is genuinely more chirpy, and that's how I overcome tough situations. Instead of dwelling on the bad, I focus on the good. I focus on the evening sky, the good weather, and even if it’s raining, the rain brings us food and water for the plants. So my colorful personality is why I chose this.