For many cancer patients, recovery continues long after treatment ends. In fact, recovery often brings new challenges — both physical and emotional — that can be long-lasting. That is why the launch of the National Cancer Centre Singapore-Singapore Cancer Society (NCCS-SCS) Rehabilitation Centre in June 2024 is a significant milestone that will boost cancer care in Singapore.
Housed within NCCS, it is the country’s first dedicated tertiary rehabilitation centre, offering tailored support for patients navigating the road to recovery.
A team that understands patient needs
Walking into the 370-square-metre rehabilitation centre feels more like stepping into a gym than a clinical facility. The space is designed to help cancer patients regain their strength and independence, with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and speech therapists working alongside one another to ensure holistic patient care.
“For many of our patients, rehabilitation is the bridge between treatment and getting back to their normal lives,” said Professor Lim Soon Thye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NCCS. “We want to make sure that their recovery is smooth and that they are supported during the process.”
A seamless approach to cancer recovery
Unlike community rehabilitation centres, the NCCS-SCS facility specifically serves patients with more complex medical needs — such as those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or severe side effects like nerve damage or treatment-related pain — who require specialised rehabilitation care. Together, doctors and therapists work to develop a rehabilitation plan that evolves with each patient’s progress.
Mr Albert Ching, CEO, SCS, highlighted the importance of the collaboration between NCCS and SCS: “It allows us to pool resources and expertise to provide the care needed for cancer patients.”
Customised care for every step of recovery
Each patient’s plan is tailored to their specific needs — whether it is building endurance before surgery, restoring mobility post-treatment, or managing symptoms like lymphoedemaand chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Rehabilitation sessions, which typically last 30 to 60 minutes, are structured to target key areas of recovery. Some patients may need strength-building exercises, while others focus on balance, coordination or nutritional guidance. The patient’s programme is adjusted according to their progress at each session, ensuring that care is appropriate and effective.
Rehabilitation is a lifeline for patients
After being diagnosed with Stage 1 colorectal cancer in 2020, Mr Tan Swan Tong, 65, found himself grappling with extreme fatigue and weakness in his legs, a side effect of his treatment. “I couldn’t walk without a stick,” he recalled. After being referred for rehabilitation, his recovery improved greatly. He began rebuilding his strength with customised physiotherapy sessions. Today, he can walk unaided, a testament to the centre’s commitment to restoring patients’ quality of life.
For Mdm Wendy Tan, 64, rehabilitation has been a lifeline. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Leiomyosarcoma in 2015, she faced months of immobility following nerve damage from surgery. “I was in a wheelchair for eight months,” she shared. With regular physiotherapy, Mdm Tan slowly regained control of her limbs, and is now able to move around with a walking stick. She continues her rehabilitation independently to manage her condition. “The occupational therapists and physiotherapists literally helped me get back on my feet,” she said.
With the opening of the NCCS-SCS Rehabilitation Centre, patients like Mr Tan and Mdm Tan can benefit from its larger premises within the NCCS building, greater convenience, and improved access to medical and rehabilitative care under one roof.
Here for the long run
The launch of the NCCS-SCS Rehabilitation Centre marks a significant shift in the approach to cancer care in Singapore. By focusing not just on treatment but on long-term recovery, the centre aims to give patients the tools and support they need to live full, healthy lives after cancer.
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