When women are first told they have breast cancer, the reaction is often of shock and disbelief. “But I’m healthy. I have no family history. How could this happen to me?” is a common refrain, said Dr Ang Wei-Wen, a consultant breast surgeon at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s (TTSH) Breast Surgery Service.
Many assume that breast cancer only strikes those with “bad genes” or unhealthy lifestyles. In reality, the top female cancer in Singapore can happen to anyone, with many cases occurring spontaneously, said Dr Ang.
Dr Sabrina Ngaserin, senior consultant breast surgeon and medical director of Breast Surgery Care Partners, added: “Only about five to 10 per cent of breast cancer cases are thought to be inherited. For most women, there is no single clear cause. Breast cancer typically develops from a combination of different factors.”
