Breaking the silence: Cancer warrior shares her story without fear
Zoe Yap will share her cancer story with anyone at any time. Having battled rectal cancer since 2014, she believes that her journey may help others find strength – even if it means revealing her most challenging moments.
During our conversation, she candidly tells me that she has had accidents in public and soiled her pants multiple times. There are moments when she has avoided food and experienced great hunger simply to avoid using the restroom. “My average time spent in the bathroom is six hours, and my longest recorded time is twenty hours,” she says.
These experiences have caused her to endure anal fissures, torn skin, and intense pain. But for Zoe, embracing vulnerability is precisely what makes her human.
“We have a choice to either let [cancer] consume us or learn to live with it. I choose to embrace it and find strength in my vulnerability.”
One might say that by telling her story, Zoe is helping to challenge the wider stigma associated with the disease. Speaking out can encourage more open discussions about cancer, a condition that impacts as many as 1 in 4 Singaporeans in their lifetime.
Diagnosed in her 30s
Zoe’s cancer journey coincided with the beginning of motherhood. Back in 2014, she had just given birth to her first child and finished her one-month confinement. Little did she know this new chapter in her life would unfold in unexpected ways.
What began as a visit to the polyclinic to treat piles swiftly escalated, as she was referred to a specialist for a colonoscopy.
Then came the bombshell. She had stage 3 rectal cancer. The news left her reeling. A long-time vegetarian who jogged and even took part in marathon events, Zoe defied the conventional stereotype of a cancer patient.
Over the next nine years, Zoe courageously faced an array of treatments including chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. She endured three relapses, with the cancer spreading to her lungs and her survival rate shrinking to 20 per cent.
In 2023, she underwent a permanent stoma surgery which means she must live with a stoma bag to collect bodily waste.
Being a Blessing to Others
Despite these setbacks, Zoe is a picture of resilience. She is sanguine about her condition, saying: “Cancer may be a part of our journey, but it serves as a challenge that helps us become stronger and more resilient.”
Many cancer patients emphasise the importance of finding a supportive community. For Zoe, she finds a sense of belonging in the SemiColons support group. Offered under the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), this is a group for individuals battling colon and rectal cancer.
Connecting with other cancer warriors, some of whom are facing even more challenging circumstances, gives Zoe perspective. “Instead of dwelling in misery, I choose to keep pushing forward and seeking more happiness. This mindset gives me hope and motivation to continue on my journey.”
The support group has also given Zoe the chance to be a lifeline to others. One of her most memorable experiences was getting to know a fellow cancer warrior in the throes of end-stage sarcoma. For this newfound friend, meeting Zoe was a beacon of hope.
“She believed that I was a God-sent angel who inspired her to keep fighting, even when doctors gave her a grim prognosis of surviving only a year. Remarkably, she has surpassed that timeline and is now in the fourth year of her cancer journey.”
This encounter prompted Zoe to reframe her journey. Her repeated battles with cancer suddenly took on a deeper meaning.
“Perhaps I was spared not just once, but four times, to be there for others like her. It reminded me that life is beautiful and that we all have a greater purpose in this world,” she muses.
“We just need to hold on during the storms and trust that we will ride them out.”
Spreading her Story through Work
Besides volunteering, Zoe has found other ways to share her experience in the hopes of helping others. In particular, she has integrated her cancer story into her work as a financial consultant.
Zoe’s battles with cancer have shown her first-hand the importance of preparing for the unexpected. After all, it was early financial planning and various insurance policies helped alleviate the burden of her medical bills, allowing her to focus fully on her recovery.
This experience, coupled with empathy, has influenced the way she advises clients. Having foresight and preparing for life’s emergencies is key, whether in health or finances. Otherwise – “I might not be here today to share my story,” she concludes.