National Cancer Centre Singapore

As the national and regional centre of excellence,NCCS offers a one-stop, holistic range of clinicalservices to patients, conducts clinical and basicresearch, and develops public cancer educationprogrammes wholly directed at the prevention andtreatment of cancer. Our inspirational concept ofcare is patient-focused, with multi-disciplinary teamsof professionals working together to improve thequal i ty of l i fe for pat ients and thei r fami l ies .

PATIENTS. AT THE HE RT OF ALL WE DO.

Annual Report ‘08

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Annual Report ‘08

Director’s Message

Professor Soo Khee Chee

When the National Cancer Centre Singapore(NCCS) was set up as an independent businessunit, one of its key aims was to provide thecommunity with the best multi-disciplinaryapproach for cancer patients. To achieve thiswe have relentlessly pursued upgrading of skillsof our specialists, by working and training withthe best centres overseas, while we pressed onwith our research programmes.

This commitment has borne fruit for many patientswho benefit from our expanded knowledge andunderstanding of how to treat and manage thedisease. The research teams in NCCS havecontributed much to the global medical fraternity,with many cutting-edge projects and impactfuldiscoveries published in leading peer journals.We have also engaged in several key clinicaltrials, with results that have paved the way fornew pedagogies and medical advances.

As we move on to achieve our aspirations ofbecoming the best medical institution in cancercare, we will also need to continue to recruit andtrain more medical specialists who can mentortheir young charges. We are pleased to see ourdoctors take up teaching appointments withDuke-NUS Graduate Medical School (GMS). Theirteaching exposure would enable our doctors tosharpen their knowledge and keep abreast ofnew advances in medicine. This in fact has beenone of many goals that NCCS had set for itselfwhen it opened its doors in 1999. I am pleasedto note that 15 doctors are currently holdingteaching appointments at Duke-NUS GMS.

Our patient load has increased by 69% this yearcompared to 2007. It is a reminder of the needto increase our manpower resources in the futureas the population continues to grow. We are alsoinvesting in new equipment as we expand ourdepth of knowledge so that NCCS will alwaysremain in the forefront in the fight against cancer.

Director

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Annual Report ‘08

Clinical Governance

National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) focuses on clinical safety and outcomes,the patient service experience and quality improvement.

Clinical Governance StatementThere is the formation of two new safetycommittees:

Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU) Patient SafetyCommittee ensuring the implementation of bestpractices in the aspects of patient care andsafety wh i le rece iv ing chemotherapy.

Mammotome QA Committee which oversees thetraining and credentialing of doctors who wishto perform the Ultra-Sound guided mammotomeprocedures in NCCS, a new service initiated bythe Department of Oncologic Imaging.

To improve on Infection Control practices, handhygiene would be a priority. NCCS aims to providebetter access to hand rub at public access areasand to inculcate the habit in our staff. Plans arealso in place to track Surgical Site Infection rates.

A total of 4 projects funded by HQIF and HIF werecompleted as follows:

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)-led breastcancer survivors program funded by HQIF wascompleted. Due to the great success of thisprogram, it is now the intention to extend tillMarch 2010 and subsequently to integrate theservice into the existing follow-up plan for breastcancer survivors.

Nurses at the ATU also completed theimprovement project on Telephone Triage AndFollow Up For Oncology Patients at ATU. Thetelephone triage allows comprehensive patientassessment and consistent standards of healthadv ice to pat ien t s wh i le undergo ingchemotherapy.

The Department of Palliative Medicine remainscommitted to having at least one newimprovement project per year. The project onCare of the Dying Pathway started in oneOncology ward was completed. The grant fromHQIF enables this project to become a programand enables the extension of this service topatients of other wards as well.

To improve on Radiation Treatment, the projecton Developing And Implementing A NovelModern Total Body Irradiation Three Dimensionwas completed.

Patient satisfaction decreased from 82.4% to72.9% this year. This was largely due to increasedpatient volume causing longer waiting times forappointments in SOC as well as at the ATU. Toaddress this issue, we will be looking into the MOHCustomer Satisfaction Survey report to direct ourimprovements in aspects identified such as theimprovement of communication and thecoordination of care.Our plans for improving the overall satisfactionrates is to have staff continue with the enhancedSQ Core training program to re-enforce the SHS5Cs service standards.

NCCS will also be seeking JCI accreditation in2010.

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Annual Report ‘08

Patient Care

Patient-Centred ServiceThe National Cancer Centre Singapore is a one-stop specialty centre that offers a multi-disciplinaryand holistic approach to cancer treatment. As a national and regional centre of excellence, theCentre strives to provide the highest standards of medical diagnosis, treatment and care to patients.

Centre to Focus on Leading Edge PalliativeCare

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Annual Report ‘08

Patient Care

Patient-Centred Service

Centre to Focus on Leading Edge Palliative Care

Providing high quality research and educationopportunities, The Lien Centre for Palliative Care– jointly supported by the National Cancer CentreSingapore (NCCS) and SingHealth – will bridgethe gap in end-of-life knowledge and trainingthat Singapore currently faces.

A joint effort between the Duke-NUS GraduateMedical School (GMS) and Lien Foundation, themulti-million-dollar facility will be located at NCCSto foster close collaboration between clinicians,the vibrant academic and biomedical sciencesresearch community, and tap on resourcesavailable at the Duke-NUS GMS located oncampus.

The facility will collect data on palliative care,including: the number of people dying inSingapore; where they are dying; whether theyreceive palliative support; the level of servicereceived currently; and the reasons people optout of such services.

The Lien Foundation initiated the setting up ofthe Centre with a $7.5 million commitment overa period of five years, which will be matcheddollar-for-dollar by the Singapore government.

The Centre is a key thrust of the Foundation’songoing efforts to boost awareness of palliativecare and raise the skill levels of medical staff inthis area.

“We hope to create a virtuous cycle where theexperience of good palliative care will fueldemand from patients. Then more funds andresources can be attracted into palliative careto meet the growing needs of the aged,” saidMrs. Margaret Lien, Chairman of the LienFoundation.

Grants for the new centre will come from the LienFoundation, NCCS, SingHealth and the SingaporeGovernment over the next f ive years .

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Annual Report ‘08

Education

Lifelong EducationThe National Cancer Centre Singapore invests in training and education to cultivate staff to their fullpotential, building a pool of competent healthcare professionals.

Free Hepatitis B Screenings To Battle Cancer BNP Paribas, NCCS in Vietnam Medical TrainingTie-up

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Annual Report ‘08

Education

Lifelong Education

Free Hepatitis B Screenings To Battle CancerLiver cancer is the fourth most common canceramong men and the second most fatal.

The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)launched the inaugural Liver Cancer AwarenessMonth (Liver CAM) in August 2008, aimed ateducating the public on risk factors, symptomsand prevention of the disease.

To raise awareness on the importance of earlyprevention and detection, 400 vouchers for freehepatitis B screenings were distributed at twopublic forums on September 6. T itled "LiverCancer and You – Prevention and Treatment"and presented in English and Mandarin at theHDB Hub in Toa Payoh - the forums gave thepublic the lowdown about liver cancer and therisk factors as well as hepatitis B, a condition whichcan lead to liver cancer and its prevention aswell as available treatment options.

In addition to providing liver cancer patients andtheir supporting caregivers with information oncare and treatment options, the campaign alsoaimed to give medical professionals – bothgeneral practitioners and specialists – updateson the advances in clinical research andtreatment.

The campaign came on the heels of other majorpublic cancer awareness campaigns such asbreast and lung cancer awareness months (BCAMand LCAM) championed by the NCCS.

"Although liver cancer is the second most fatalcancer, there is potential hope for cure ifindividuals go for early detection and seekappropriate intervention," said Chairman of LiverCAM 2008 and Deputy Director and SeniorSurgical Oncologist at NCCS, Prof London LucienOoi.

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Annual Report ‘08

Education

Lifelong Education

BNP Paribas, NCCS in Vietnam Medical Training Tie-upBuilding strong networks with doctors in Vietnamwas the reason behind an effort by the NationalCancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), along withFrench bank BNP Paribas Singapore and BNPParibas Foundation as the sponsors, to facilitatea regional post-graduate medical trainingprogramme in January 2009.

Paris-based BNP Paribas Foundation will beproviding a grant of 90,000 euros (S$177,500) tothree doctors from Vietnam to train in Singaporeover a period of three years. The money is set togo towards their stipend and other living expenses.

The cross-border knowledge-sharing moveillustrated NCCS' keen interest in undertakingresearch in clinical care in certain diseases thatwere common in Vietnam and Singapore - inparticular, cancers of the head and neck, noseand stomach and the liver.

"We hope, when establishing these connectionsthrough doctors trained in Singapore, that whenwe want to create this network of researcherswe wil l have a group of people we canimmediately turn to and they will, in a way, lookon Singapore as their spiritual home," said NCCSdirector Professor Soo Khee Chee, explaining thecentre's move to provide the free training.

Chief Executive Officer and Regional Head forSouth East Asia, BNP Paribas, Jean-Pierre Bernardhighlighted the motivation behind the fellowshipprogramme, "By supporting the training of a poolof doctors in specialist cancer care, we hope tonurture a culture of scientific inquiry and leverageon NCCS’ expertise in cancer treatment andresearch.”

The training stints were awarded to Vo Hoi TrungTruc of the Cho Ray Hospital and Do Tuong Huanof Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital in 2009.

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Annual Report ‘08

Research

Innovative ResearchThe National Cancer Centre Singapore believes that innovative research is integral to the delivery ofquality patient care. The Centre invests in relevant clinical and basic research programmes to furtherthe understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Multi-centre Trial to Combat Liver Cancer Moving Up A Notch In Drug Development

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Annual Report ‘08

Research

Innovative Research

Multi-centre Trial to Combat Liver Cancer

Top clinician investigators have kicked off a majormulti-centre clinical trial that aims to prolong thelives of liver cancer sufferers. The trial involves twotreatment modalities, which, if successful, willextend the lives of terminally ill patients with thedisease. Both treatments are separately availablein the international market for the treatment ofliver cancer.

The investigator-initiated multi-centre trial is beingcarried out by the Asia-Pacific HepatocellularCarcinoma (AHCC) Trials Group, which has itssecretariat at the National Cancer CentreSingapore (NCCS). Various member-centres inthe region including China, India, Indonesia,South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand,Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam wereinvited to participate in the trial.

“This trial is an important milestone for all ourresearchers and clinician investigators becausewe will be taking a step forward in our efforts tohelp our patients combat liver cancer,” said ProfSoo Khee Chee, NCCS Director, who is also theGroup Chair of AHCC Trials Group. Also involvedin the trial is Dr Donald Poon, a Consultant atDepartment of Medical Oncology at the NCCS.

The first phase of the clinical trial, which startedin June 2008, involved 31 patients who weretreated using a combination of two treatmentmodalities instead of the current standardpractice of putting such patients on either oneof these treatments. Phase II of the clinical trialstarted in December 2008.

The treatments have shown promise, as patientstreated with Sorafenib, an oral targetedchemotherapy drug, saw their life span improve.Patients who were given SIR-Spheres - an internalradiation therapy applied directly to liver cancerthrough a catheter, reported significant tumourregression. The trial will be considered successfulif results indicate that administering bothtreatments can extend the patient’s life beyondthe added lifespan.

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Annual Report ‘08

Research

Innovative Research

Moving Up A Notch In Drug Development

In a milestone move to combat what is knownlargely as an 'Asian' disease – the National CancerCentre Singapore (NCCS) has collaborated withAnglo-Swedish drug giant AstraZeneca to developdrugs for liver cancer.

The partnership with AstraZeneca gives NCCS thefreedom to mix and match drugs in the battleagainst liver cancer and develop a new line ofdrugs against a disease, which currently has noeffective treatment.

AstraZeneca and NCCS have selected inoperablehepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the first targetfor their new drug collaboration. This partnership,which includes researchers from the NationalUniversity Hospital, covers the pre-clinical andclinical development of anti-cancer compounds.

The collaboration with NCCS is a first for Singapore,shifting the country's role from drug manufacturingto drug R&D which is usually done out ofSingapore. This could lead to the developmentof intellectual property in the drug market.

Through funding from the Economic DevelopmentBoard, the partnership also includes a trainingplacement programme for clinical professionalsat the Manchester Cancer Research Centre inthe United Kingdom – an institution that has along-standing collaboration with Astra Zeneca.

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Annual Report ‘08

Our PeopleThe National Cancer Centre Singapore recognises that staff need to work in a supportive environmentto deliver quality healthcare. We believe in supporting, empowering and nurturing our staff so theycan give their best to our patients.

NCCS Director recognised as OutstandingClinician Mentor

Knowledge Serves as Award-WinningOncologist's Guiding Light

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Annual Report ‘08

Our People

NCCS Director recognised as Outstanding Clinician MentorHe wears many hats but still finds the time toimpart his skills to younger doctors. For his sterlingmentoring efforts, Director of the National CancerCentre Singapore (NCCS), Prof Soo Khee Cheewas recognised as the National OutstandingClinician Mentor Award 2008 by the Ministry ofHealth.

As Director of NCCS, Prof Soo Khee Chee is taskedwith looking into policy matters and researchprojects. In addition to looking at fundraising tosupport research projects, Prof Soo also attendsto patients at his clinic, performs surgery, andshares his experience and expertise with specialistsat the Centre. Prof Soo is also the Vice-Dean,Clinical and Faculty Affairs, of the Duke-NUSGraduate Medical School, and oversees researchand education as Assistant CEO of the SingHealthGroup.

One of the pioneers who witnessed the birth ofNCCS, Prof Soo runs the Centre with characteristiceff iciency, attending to patients and isrecognised as the face of NCCS in the globalmedical and research fraternity.

A firm believer in research, he sets the strategicdirection for research, encourages his team ofinvestigators and clinician-scientists and makesfund raising a priority to keep their projects going.

Prof Soo's efforts have not been in vain as NCCSis now recognised as a leading example of acutting edge cancer centre . Teams of specialistsfrom various medical disciplines work together,supported by a talented pool of clinician-scientists. The Centre's facilities are well-equippedwith the latest medical equipment, for examplein radiation technology, so that they can leverageon technological advances to complement theirefforts. As part of its comprehensive service,NCCS also offers patients psycho-socialcounselling and has a wide variety of supportprogrammes to help patients journey throughtheir illness.

Doctors at NCCS also carry out clinical trials asthey have a wide patient base which is requiredfor any trial to be effective. This also means thatdoctors get to see different types of cancer andhence are well experienced in responding topatients' needs.

Voicing his satisfaction at how far things havecome for the Centre since it was first established,the modest Prof Soo said, "There were severalissues that were important for NCCS at the timeof its inception. One was to be able to createvarious multi-disciplinary segments so that sub-specialist care can be given to the patients in anefficient and timely manner.

"This has turned out well because we are nowable to offer a comprehensive range of specialistcare for most cancers."

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Annual Report ‘08

Our People

Knowledge Serves as Award-Winning Oncologist's Guiding LightHis passion for truth has led him to make impressiveresearch breakthroughs.

Dr Tan Min-Han is a medical oncologist at theNational Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) andan associate investigator in the NCCS-VARITranslational Research Laboratory. He takes aspecial interest in cancers of the genitourinarysystem, including that of the prostate, kidney,testis and bladder.

A two-time winner of the prestigious AmericanSociety of Clinical Oncology Merit Award and2008 Singapore Youth Award, Science andTechnology category recipient, Dr Tan'sdedicated service to his patients earned him anExcellent Service Award in 2006. In addition, hehas voluntarily devoted time to guide andeducate junior physicians, medical students aswell as junior college students.

Dr Tan has co-authored 17 overseas and twolocal publications in journals including Natureand Cancer Research. His track record hassecured him research support totalling S$470,000from the Singapore Millennium Foundation, theNational Kidney Foundation, SingHealth and theSingapore Cancer Society. He has spoken atinternational scientific conferences on kidneycancer and reviews for three major journalspublished by the American Association of CancerResearch.

Delve a little deeper beneath Dr Tan's award-winning clinician-scientist facade, and a quirkyside to his work emerges.

Dr Tan published a report named 'The Tao of Bao'debunking a long-held myth in Singapore andHong Kong that consumption of steamed buns(or 'bao' in Chinese) by doctors would result inheavy workload during night duty. This is becausesome doctors believe that there's an ominousring to the word "bao" which can mean either "al ion’s share" of admissions or a "shroud".

Determined to find out the truth, Dr Tan monitoredsleep patterns and workload at the SingaporeGeneral Hospital over two months in 2007, while

treating doctors on duty to suppers of vegetarian"bao". At the end of the study (and $300 poorer),he had completely debunked the decades-oldmyth and proved that there was little correlationto higher admissions, deaths, sleep duration orintensive care admissions with consumption of"bao".

Key to his goals in the study was keeping anobjective record of sleep patterns and workloadof Singapore doctors on night shift. His data hasbeen used in reports to evaluate junior doctors’welfare, performance in relation to the risk ofmedical errors.

"Our role as oncologists is best captured by awell-known quote which is 'to cure sometimes,relieve often and comfort always'. No patientshould walk out of the consultation room feelingmore unsettled than before the visit," Dr Tanexplained.

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Annual Report ‘08

Community Engagement

The National Cancer Centre Singapore plays its part as a responsible corporate citizen by contributingto the welfare of the community through a range of outreach efforts.

Joining The Run For Hope Heartland Extravaganza for Health

Thinking Pink in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

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Annual Report ‘08

Community Engagement

Joining The Run For HopeWith over $330,000 raised for the National CancerCentre Singapore (NCCS) through Run For Hope2008, lung cancer patients can now benefit froma new technology - an auto-f luorescentbronchoscope machine that will help detect lungcancer in its early stages. This greatly increasesthe success of intervention and treatment.

The annual Run For Hope charity event waspreviously known as the Terry Fox Run, namedafter a Canadian cancer victim whom, despitebeing an amputee, began a run across hiscountry in 1980 to raise money for research intothe disease.

On October 5, 2008, over 6,000 participatingrunners and employees from co-organisers FourSeasons Hotel, Singapore and The RegentSingapore took to East Coast Park to do their bitfor cancer research.

NCCS director Prof Soo Khee Chee said Run forHope is unique because charitable funding inSingapore is usually provided for a small groupof people suffering from cancer and that helpstowards their care and treatment.

"The period between getting a breakthrough andtranslating it into treatment for a patient is a long,hard and expensive road, one that needs up to$1 billion. This is why beyond patient care, it'simportant to fund research as well," said Prof Soo.

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Annual Report ‘08

Community Engagement

Thinking Pink in the Fight Against Breast CancerTo raise awareness in the fight against breastcancer, the National Cancer Centre Singapore(NCCS) and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH)jointly organised an evening walk from MountFaber Park to HortPark in October 2008 to highlightthe many challenges overcome by survivors ofthe disease.

Some 300 participants took the time to pose forphotographs with their families, friends andsupporters against the dramatic beauty of thebrightly-lit Henderson Waves and Alexandra Archbridges and took part in 'Pink Bridges – Walk forthe Women in Our Lives'.

Chairman for the Breast Cancer Awareness Month(BCAM) Committee and senior consultant atNCCS, Dr Ho Gay Hui, said the rigorous workout"symbolised the many treacherous crossings inlife that patients, families and healthcare partnershave to endure in their fight against breast cancertogether".

Dr Ho encouraged women to go for regular breastcancer screenings as an effective defenceagainst the disease. She added that the"motivation to arrange for regular screeningsshould not only originate from themselves butfrom those around them as well, including men,who need to proactively remind the women intheir lives of the importance of regular screening”.

Based on Dr Ho's clinical experience, she notedthat patients who have strong family support tendto fare better. Her message underscored thewisdom behind the BCAM's 2008 campaignthemed 'The Women In Our Lives'. To improveearly and regular screening rates, the BCAMcommittee extended its focus to includeencouraging family support and motivation fromloved ones at home to make a difference ingetting women, especially those aged 50 andabove, who are at higher risk of breast cancerto go for regular screening.

In a related breast health education event, about100 people visited NCCS on October 18, 2008 tolearn more about the prevention and treatmentof Lymphoedema, or arm swelling which occursas a result of Breast Cancer treatment.

Jointly organised by NCCS and SGH, the eventstarted with a workshop conducted byOccupational Therapists and Physiotherapistsfrom SGH for breast cancer patients who learntabout the prevention and non-surgical treatmentof lymphoedema, using massage techniques andbandaging. A public forum followed whereparticipants gleaned more information about thecauses and various treatments of lymphoedema.

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Annual Report ‘08

Community Engagement

Heartland Extravaganza for HealthPublic health education through entertainmentis a sure way for success, as proven at the launchof the "Health In The Heartlands" event that sawmore than 1,000 visitors thronging IMM on May31, 2008.

"Health in the Heartlands", spearheaded by theNational Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) wasa major outreach programme aimed to helpheartlanders understand how to lead healthylifestyles to combat cancer - a top killer diseasein Singapore.

Launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister forCommunity Development, Youth and Sports, theevent was a star-studded affair with popularcelebrity hosts such as Adrian Pang, MichelleChong and Suhaimi Yusof adding to the festivities.Popular Master Chef Philip Chia was also on handto demonstrate the preparation of healthy andtasty Peranakan dishes.

The crowd enjoyed complimentary breakfasts,popcorn, candy floss, balloons, goodie bags,and henna tattoos. Free colorectal screeningkits were distributed and visitors were educatedabout cancer, detection and its preventionthrough public talks and exhibits.

Bringing home the importance of regularscreening as a preventive measure to the public,NCCS Director, Prof Soo Khee Chee explained,"It is wasteful to see so many people who couldhave had many more years of happy life afflictedwith this disease either because of their lifestylesor because they did not go for regular healthscreenings."

Some 23 NCCS patient ambassadors who madegreat efforts to support fellow patients throughtheir cancer journey were recognised with specialcommendat ions and ce r t i f i ca t ions o fappreciation at the event,in conjunction withWorld Cancer Survivors Day on June 1, 2008.

The mega extravaganza also showcased the topentries for the 'Light of Life' photographycompetition for junior college students for whichthey interpreted the 'light' they saw in their darkestmoment through their camera lenses. From atotal of 102 entries, the winning entry came fromLee Ming Hui Kelvin of Victoria Junior Collegewhose photo captured his father’s silhouetteaccompanied by a caption which illustrated thecomfort that his father’s frequent presenceoffered.

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Annual Report ‘08

Awards & Accolades - General

ServiceNCC C.A.R.E Excellence Award 2008

GCEO Excellence Award 2008 for Education

Spring Singapore Excellent Service Award 2008

Healthcare Humanity Award 2008

SingHealth-Lee Foundation Awards

Novartis Award

MOH Nurses’ Merit Award

Mercy Relief Certificate of Honour

Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

1st National Medical Excellence Awards

GCEO Excellence Award 2008

Dr Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna, Gilbert Fan, Tan ChengKim, Brenda Lee Ann Tee, Sarojah Veerappan,Angeline Hoi Seok Fun, Winson Tan Wai Heng,Prudence Lim

Dr Simon Ong YK

Tan Cheng Khim, Ling Bee Chuan, Connie Ong AhMooi, Yong Wei Sean, Rossnani Bte Abdullah,Rashidah Bte Ibrahim, Richard Tay Lee Keat, KokChoon Kuen Gewndoline, Georgina Tan Siew Mui,Laura Chin Kim Yong, Carol Lee Hong Lian, Janet SFernandez, Kalaichelvi d/o Veerappan, Tay BengChoo, Dr Alethea Yee, Dr Darren Lim, Dr Wong NanSoon

Dr Joanne Ngeow

Tan Meu King

Oncology Nursing Excellence Award – Chua FoongSin Alice

Quek Ai Huah Audrey

Dr Simon Ong

Best Teacher Award (Molecules and Cells)- Dr TohHan ChongOutstanding Faculty (Practice Course) – Dr SimonOng

National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award 2008- Prof Soo Khee Chee

Open Category for Excellence in Education – DrSimon Ong

Recipient(s) Name & Designation

Awards & Accolades - Education

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Annual Report ‘08

Awards & Accolades - Research

ServiceYoung Investigator’s Award 2008

SGH 17th ASM Award

Joint Singapore Pediatric Congress & APAPARIMeeting

European Society of Medical Oncology

Academy of Medicine Of Malaysia

Annual Scientific Meeting

Singapore Science and Engineering Fair

American Society of Clinical Oncology

The Singapore Health Award 2008

Singapore Youth Award

2nd: Tan IB, Tan DS Quek R, Miriam Tao and Lim ST

Best Poster (Clinical) – 1st: Dr Ang Mei-Kim; 2nd: DrHo Gay HuiYoung Investigator’s Award – Dr Joanne NgeowBest Oral Paper (Scientist)- Chin Wei Lim William

Best Poster Award – Wee Song Yeo, Tarun KMaheswari, Chang Li Wei, Caroline GL Lee, StanleyC Jordan, Hui Kim Yap

Best Poster Award _Annals of Oncology 19(Supplement 8):Tan DS, Tan IB, Quek R, Tao Miriam, Lim ST

Young Investigator Award- Tan IB, Tan DS, KanesvaranR, Quek R, Tao Miriam, Lim ST

Young Investigators’ Award – 2nd: Tan IB, Tan DS,Quek R, Tao Miriam, Lim ST

Silver Award- Lin Yingbo, Willaim Chin, A/Prof MaliniOlivio

Merit Award: Tan DS, Tan IB, Chan A, Kanesvaran R,Lim W, Chan ES, Lim S

Institution Award –Gold (NCCS)

Medal of Commendation- Dr Patrick Tan

Recipient(s) Name & Designation

Awards & Accolades - Human Resource /Talent Development

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Annual Report ‘08

Patient Stories

Patient Success Stories

A Strong Foundation Of Support

Mr Teo Thiam Chye, 55 years old

Despite having suffered a relapse for nose cancer five years after hewas first diagnosed and treated, Mr Teo remains in high spirits. In March2008, Mr Teo underwent open face surgery for his relapse. He recoveredfast and was discharged from hospital in five days. Besides a strongwill to live, he credited the speed of his recovery to his wife and family,as well as to the NCCS medical staff - whom he believes have apersonal passion to serve others in need. Mr Teo heads the NoseCancer (NPC) Support Group and with other survivors, organises talksand activities to help nose cancer patients through their journey andto demystify the disease so that they can better cope and enjoy agood quality of life.

Giving Back to the Community

Ms Yvonne Francesca Boon, 39 years old

Yvonne was shocked to discover that she had breast cancer aftergoing through a routine screening organised by the Singapore CancerSociety. In the course of 18 months, she underwent a mastectomy,rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and countless scans. Withdiligent follow-up, she has recovered and is no longer on medication.With help from her doctors, the support group and courses conductedby the Psychosocial Oncology Department at NCCS, she was able tomake improvements in her life. To give back to the community, Yvonnehas started a support group in her church to help others.

A Life Exercise of Endurance

Mr Lim Tau Wei, 36 years old

Being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that affectsthe body’s immune system, came as a rude shock to Mr Lim – anactive athlete and endurance runner. Since his diagnosis, he underwentchemotherapy and radiotherapy at NCCS and today, Mr Lim lives lifeto the fullest, enjoying the pleasure of watching his children grow up.

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Annual Report ‘08

Key Figures

Workload Per AnnumDay SurgeriesSpecialist Outpatient Clinic Attendances

Total Doctors Nurses Allied Health Professionals Others

FY 08

11,534129,265

520112

91120198

10,584125,984

484110

79109186

FY 07

Staffing (as at end Mar)

year ended 31 Mar 2009 year ended 31 Mar 2008

Note: Staffing figures refer to Filled Posts, in terms of Full-Time Equivalent, and may not add up to total due to rounding.

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