APRIL, 2019 | Th e HEALTH
EXCLUSIVE CANCER MOONSHOT
Mei Sze, the young
woman who inspires other
young cancer patients and
survivors to be strong.
cancer patients and survivors can relate and support
each other. First Mei Sze battled cancer, now’s she
doing her level best to fi ght the myths that come along
with it.
She learnt that some families do not encourage
young cancer patients and survivors to be involved in
cancer-related activities. Th e family members instead
juts tell them to ‘forget about it.’ Mei Sze is determined
to do as much as she can to change the mind set of
Malaysians on the subject of cancer. Besides that she
often gives talks and highlight the importance of early
detection. — Th e Health
it’s almost impossible for me to get this type
of cancer because i don’t have any genetic
history, i’m very young, and i’m female. usually,
it happens to males above 50 and with genetic
history. so to my doctors and surgeon and
everything, it was quite a shock.” – Mei Sze
The survivor
NCSM’s Young Cancer Survivors group and Sephora makeup artist are in all smiles.
T
He second young woman we interviewed did
not want to reveal her identity, and would
only like to be addressed as N. Her request for
anonymity does not however, refl ect her strong will
and perserverance.
N was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of
30. “I was diagnosed in 2018 with fi rst stage ovar-
ian cancer. I went for a company medical check-up
and the doctors found a cyst. I went to get my cancer
marker tested and the results came back positive. I was
then referred to a gynaecologist in Seremban which
confi rmed that I had a mass around my ovary and my
fallopian tubes were damaged. For my fi rst operation,
the doctor removed my fallopian tube, removed the
cyst and appendix and cleaned up her ovaries.”
She was then referred to Pantai Hospital Kuala
Lumpur where she had her second major operation
– the removal of her womb, uterus and ovaries. Th is
means she is now unable to conceive. “Th e doctors
were fearful the cancer would spread, so they removed
everything. After a month, I began six cycles of chemo-
therapy and went through bouts of depression. Luckily
I had my family by my side, my mom was especially
supportive.”
She felt lucky to have found NCSM’s Young Cancer
Survivor group. “I was going through Mei Sze’s social
media and messaged her. Th at’s she added me into this
very supportive group.”
Smiles all around
It was an amazing event with the bubbly Sephora
team answering each question patiently, creating a
positive and upbeat environment. Attendees learnt
techniques like the right skincare steps and giving
skin a healthy glow. Th ere were smiles and squeals all
around as attendees went home with gifts.
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