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Imagine getting a breast cancer diagnosis \u2013 the shock, uncertainty and range of emotions that follow, and the many questions about what happens next.<\/span><\/p>\n This is where a breast care nurse (BCN) comes in, guiding patients on their treatment journey and providing emotional support. In Singapore, the woman who first made it possible for patients to get this care is Nagalingam Saraswathi, the country\u2019s first BCN.<\/span><\/p>\n In 1992, Saraswathi, or Sister Sara as she\u2019s known to patients and colleagues, was an oncology nurse at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).<\/span><\/p>\n The hospital\u2019s head of surgery had seen a presentation on breast care nursing during a conference in the United States and put up a proposal to the nursing department for a specialty nurse in breast care.<\/span><\/p>\n Saraswathi was sent to England for a 10-week training course \u2013 the only nurse from Singapore. There, she learnt counselling techniques, what information to give patients about their surgery, and how to address common myths.<\/span><\/p>\n She also learnt how to develop policies, as she would be setting up SGH\u2019s breast care nursing services that year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOn the flight back, I wrote everything I needed to do in my little diary \u2013 which I kept,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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