“You need someone to talk to”: Prostate Cancer Survivor Encourages Others to Reach Out
Two weeks before the Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer 2024, Chiu Ku Ee experienced pain in his hip. At the time, the 68-year-old had been training three days a week for six months to take part in the 15km race.
He rested and visited a TCM practitioner to relieve the pain but remained determined to reach his goal. On the day itself, he successfully crossed the finish line and earned the title of top individual fundraiser, raising the impressive sum of $17,368.
What kept him going? His unwavering desire to support those with cancer.
“For six months I was totally lost”
In 2014, Ku Ee was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 58. Although he showed no symptoms, his GP had recommended he do a blood test for cancer markers as part of his annual health screening.
When the biopsy results came back, he was in shock. “I couldn’t remember a single word of what the doctor said after that,” he recalls.
When he got home, he immediately started researching the cancer on the Internet. That only made him feel worse. “I was even more confused and overwhelmed by the information,” he recalls.
The most difficult part for Ku Ee was deciding what treatment to choose. The urologist suggested surgery, the radiation oncologist recommended radiation—but each of the treatments had different side effects he wanted to avoid.
For six months, he struggled. He felt lost and alone, until he found out about Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s prostate cancer survivor group, the Walnut Avengers, and Singapore Cancer Society’s prostate cancer support group, Walnut Warriors.
Walnut Warriors and Walnut Avengers Rally in Support
Walnut Warriors and Walnu Avengers offer prostate cancer patients and survivors the opportunity to meet others in their shoes through social events, educational talks and more.
At the support sessions, Ku Ee was able to hear from others about their personal journey with the different types of treatment and the side effects they experienced.
“It makes a big difference when you meet up with someone over a cup of coffee, and can ask questions. You can relate better and absorb the information better,” he explains.
It also helped that the group organised many medical talks with healthcare professionals. Attending and asking questions helped Ku Ee learn more about the illness and the latest advances in research and treatment—ultimately, giving him confidence in the treatment choices he made for himself.
Education and sharing helps make informed decisions
As Ku Ee’s prostate cancer was in the very early stages, he opted for active surveillance of the condition instead of going for surgery or radiation immediately.
This involved taking a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test every six to 12 months, and a biopsy every 18 months.
Determined to fight the illness, Ku Ee chose to take a larger sample size for his fourth biopsy to be “double confirm” the presence or absence of any aggressive cancer cells, and also did a genomic test to help him better understand his prognosis. All the while, he continued to update himself about the advances in prostate cancer treatment.
He admits that there were moments of anxiety, especially before each test result came out—but each time, his Walnut Warrior/Avenger buddies were there to offer the much-needed encouragement and support.
For seven years, Ku Ee practices active surveillance — a method used to closely monitor the cancer's progression instead of resorting to immediate treatment. In 2021, after observing his cancer markers climbing slowly but steadily, he finally chose to do five sessions of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), an advanced cancer treatment that delivers high doses of radiation with extreme precision.
Reflecting on a decade-long journey
Today, Ku Ee is three and a half years clear of prostate cancer.
Keen to share his knowledge and help others battling the illness, he remains an active member of Walnut Warriors and attends SCS classes for taichi, qigong, yoga, resistance band stretching, and more around five times a week.
While the journey has not been easy, he believes that having support and knowledge has helped him cope with the emotional ups and downs of the illness.
Reflecting on the lessons learned, he wisely shares: “How one feels about their cancer conditions is different. You have to understand and be sensitive when you approach and communicate with them.”
This empathy and compassion are what he hopes to bring to the table as he continues to be a beacon of strength, encouragement and hope for those he meets.