Get up close with our breast specialists and hear more from them on their philosophy for patient care and interesting personal anecdotes.
“Doing a biopsy on a cancerous breast lump helps in diagnosis and planning of the subsequent treatment, and does not cause the cancer to spread. A biopsy also will not cause a benign lump to change into cancer. This is something important that I wish to address and help more women to understand, and that there is nothing to be fearful of if a biopsy procedure has been advised.”
Dr Lim Siew Kuan is one of our Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeons at Solis. She has a special interest in breast surgery and manages both benign and malignant breast conditions. Prior to joining Solis, Dr Lim was practicing at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore.
Dr Lim recently received her Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture in 2021 and became a registered acupuncturist with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board. Being schooled in the TCM theory and diagnostics, she is able to see both Western and Eastern perspectives in patient treatment and hopes to use acupuncture as a complement to improve the general well-being of her patients.
Q. Why did you choose to become a breast surgeon?
I like general surgery as a whole. However, breast surgery is a specialty that tugs my heartstrings and makes me feel having the connection with the women community. Majority of women still prefer to see a female breast specialist when they experience any breast health issues. As a woman myself, I can relate and understand a woman’s life better and they play many roles – they are a daughter, a wife and a mother. Modern women now have busy lifestyles and spend more time caring for their loved ones and even their extended family but often neglect their own health (e.g. breast health)
Q. Share with us a patient’s story that left a deep impression on you
Many patients have left deep impressions on me, each with their unique life stories.
But if I were to mention any, it would be a recent middle-aged lady who presented with locally advanced Stage 4 breast cancer. She had noted the breast tumour for several years, but was afraid to undergo treatment. By the time she came to me, she required ICU admission with ventilatory support, and was already in multi-organ failure. Yet, the tumour biopsy showed a breast cancer type that would have responded very well to treatment, had she come in earlier.
It is really sad to see such cases in Singapore. We are a medical hub, with all the advanced cancer treatments readily available in both our private and restructured hospitals. Most breast cancers are curable if detected early. I think more can be done to allay the fear and anxieties of these patients.
Q. What is ONE myth or message that you would like women to know about breast cancer?
Many patients have come up to me with this deep-rooted myth in mind. They have the misconception that doing a biopsy will cause a cancer to spread or cause a benign lump to become ‘more aggressive’ or cancerous.
Doing a biopsy on a cancerous breast lump helps in diagnosis and planning of the subsequent treatment and does not cause the cancer to spread. A biopsy also will not cause a benign lump to change into cancer. This is something important that I wish to address and help more women to understand, and that there is nothing to be fearful of if a biopsy procedure has been advised.
Q. What do you do during your free time?
Other than catching up on the latest developments on breast cancer, I will also take time to read up on TCM since I have a keen interest in this as the “Eastern” alternative medicine. Keeping an open mind has allowed me to see and understand the wisdom that lies in the Chinese culture. I take this reading as sort of a hobby now.
I practise Tai-ji outdoors during the weekend. It helps me relax and unwind my mind. I will also join my friends for golf whenever I need extra dose of fresh air.
Q. What do you think you would be doing if you didn’t become a breast surgeon?
I like working with my hands, so I guess it would still be something that allows me to use my hands skilfully. Who knows, I could otherwise have become a dentist or a potter!
Article contributed and reviewed by Dr Lim Siew Kuan, Senior Consultant and Breast Surgeon at Solis Breast Care & Surgery
