About Us - Breast Cancer Surgeon | Bertha Woon Surgery

Dr Bertha Woon Yng Yng

Surgical Oncologist
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Edinburgh),
FAMS (Surgery), MMED (Surgery)

BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In Singapore, it accounts for approximately 29% of all female cancer cases. Fortunately, ongoing advances in medical research and early detection and treatment have improved survival rates over the years. Many patients achieve favourable outcomes, particularly when breast cancer is diagnosed early and managed appropriately.

Understanding the nature of breast cancer helps patients and their families make more informed decisions about treatment options, lifestyle adjustments and long-term care planning.

How Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in Its Early Stages?

Early detection plays an important role in improving treatment outcomes. Common ways breast cancer may be detected early include:

Breast Self-Examination – Monthly self-checks help individuals notice changes such as lumps, skin thickening or nipple discharge. It is best done a week after menstruation or on a fixed date for postmenopausal individuals. Any unusual findings should be assessed by a doctor.
Clinical Breast Examination – A doctor performs a physical examination of the breasts and underarm area to check for lumps or abnormal changes. This may be done during routine health screening and can help identify concerns that require further evaluation.

What are the Common Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Carrying out regular breast self-examinations can help you become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. This makes it easier to notice any unusual changes that may require medical attention.

Consult your breast cancer surgeon if these symptoms occur:

Abnormal bleeding/discharge from the nipple
Itchy rash around the nipple
Sore feeling in the breast
Change of color of the breast
Retracted nipple
A lump in the breast
Change in breast size

Different Types of Breast Cancer Screening

Awareness of the symptoms of breast cancer increases one's tendency to consult a breast cancer surgeon for advice should uncertainties or abnormalities arise. Breast cancer screening methods nowadays often provide high levels of clarity and safety; allowing doctors to accurately determine the cancer’s stage as well as the optimal treatment plan needed for each patient.

Some procedures that can screen for breast cancer:

Mammogram

Mammogram - A mammogram is a breast X-ray that is considered the standard diagnostic test in a breast examination. This can detect lumps, cysts or microcalcifications in the breast.

Women aged 40 and above are advised to go for mammograms even if they do not seem to have any breast cancer symptoms.

There are several different types of mammograms, each with their own key advantages:

A screening mammogram is advised for women with no symptoms of breast cancer. This displays two X-ray images of each breast in different angles.
A diagnostic mammogram provides more detailed X-ray images of each breast from different angles. This test can enlarge parts that seem abnormal and require a closer, clearer look.
Mammogram with tomosynthesis provides even more details, especially when the lady has dense breasts.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan is a breast screening procedure that uses sound waves to scan breast tissue. A big advantage of an ultrasound scan is that it can easily determine whether an abnormal growth is a solid lump or a fluid-filled cyst, etc.—vital information that can affect the diagnosis and treatment method used.

Further tests to confirm if a lesion is cancerous or not include:

Mammotome Breast Biopsy - A mammotome breast biopsy is a vacuum-assisted biopsy procedure that uses an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI to take a sample of abnormal breast tissue. A mammotome breast biopsy is usually done to determine if an abnormal lesion seen on a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI is benign or malignant.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - An MRI uses magnetic and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the internal structure of the breast. Unlike X-rays, MRI procedures do not use radiation, and it gives a more detailed image of the affected area. It is useful when the breasts are dense, and the mammogram and/or ultrasound breast images are not conclusive. However, this is not suitable for patients who are claustrophobic.
Trucut Biopsy - this is done to determine the identity of a suspicious breast lesion.
Fine needle aspiration cytology - this is done to determine the identity of suspicious breast lesions, especially those that are partially cystic.

Breast Cancer Treatments Available

When a lump is detected and breast cancer is confirmed, several treatment options may be considered. Advances in therapy now allow more effective management of the condition and support recovery, depending on individual needs. These options include:

Radiation Therapy – Radiotherapy uses an external beam of radiation to combat the cancerous cells of the breast. It is a post-operative procedure after a lumpectomy or mastectomy to ensure the complete elimination of cancer cells after the operation.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is administered to destroy cancer cells, and this form of breast cancer treatment is usually administered intravenously. It is generally an effective procedure to reduce the size of large tumours in the breast before surgery. Additionally, chemotherapy can help decrease the chances of cancer cells returning.
Hormonal Therapy – Hormone therapy blocks or lowers hormones like estrogen that can fuel certain types of breast cancer. It is commonly used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Targeted Therapy – Targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules or proteins that support cancer growth. This approach can attack cancer cells more precisely while causing less damage to healthy tissue.
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognise and fight cancer cells. It is used in certain cases, often in combination with other treatments.

ADJUNCT TESTS AVAILABLE:

Oncotype Dx
BRCA 1/ 2 testing and other tests

Breast Cancer Surgery Types

Surgery removes cancerous tissue from the breast and is often recommended for early-stage breast cancer or when the tumour can be safely removed.

Wide local excision – In the past, people called this operation a lumpectomy. This is inaccurate. Breast cancer surgery requires the lump to be excised with margins to ensure no cancer is left behind. Wide local excision is a breast cancer surgery suitable for breast cancer stages 0, 1, and 2. It is considered a breast-preserving type of surgery because it only removes the breast tumour and a minimal amount of breast tissue surrounding it. Sometimes, a cancer can be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, i.e. chemotherapy to shrink the tumour first, before surgery is done, to reduce the morbidity of surgery.
Mastectomy – Mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast. This is advisable in cases where the cancer occupies more than one quadrant, when the cancer is multicentric/ multifocal, or when the tumour volume: breast volume ratio is too high to allow for a cosmetic outcome in conservation surgery. The option of immediate reconstruction is offered to all patients to consider. There are various reconstruction options available.

Early detection and treatment of breast cancer in its early stages greatly increases the survival rate for patients. Regular breast self-examinations, knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, and regular consultations with your breast cancer surgeon will help ensure your continued health and increase your chances of a positive prognosis even if afflicted.

To find out more about breast cancer treatment, contact us today for a comprehensive consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Breast Cancer Treatment

Can a breast injury or trauma lead to breast cancer?

No. Breast trauma or bruising does not cause breast cancer. However, an injury may lead to swelling or a benign lump, such as fat necrosis, which should still be assessed if it persists.
Are breast lumps mostly cancerous?

No. Most breast lumps are benign and may be caused by cysts, fibroadenomas or hormonal changes.
Can a benign (non-cancerous) breast lump develop into cancer over time?

Most benign breast lumps do not become cancerous. However, certain abnormal breast changes may slightly increase future risk, so regular monitoring and follow-up are important.
Can benign breast conditions recur after treatment?

Yes. Conditions such as cysts or fibroadenomas can recur in the same breast or develop in other areas. Routine screening and follow-up help detect changes early.
Can men get breast cancer?

Yes. Although uncommon, men can develop breast cancer. Any breast lump, nipple discharge or skin changes in men should be evaluated by a doctor.

Dr Bertha Woon Yng Yng

Surgical Oncologist

MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Surgery), MMED (Surgery)

Our Breast Cancer Surgeon in Singapore

Singapore breast cancer surgeon Dr Bertha Woon attained her MBBS and Master of Medicine in Surgery from the National University of Singapore, and her Fellowship in General Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

With more than two decades of clinical experience, Dr Woon has been actively involved in the diagnosis and management of breast conditions in Singapore. Dr Woon has a special interest in breast surgery and breast cancer care, and is dedicated to supporting patients through every stage of their treatment journey, from assessment and diagnosis to surgery and recovery.

CONTACT INFO

Bertha Woon General & Breast Surgery Clinic
6 Napier Road #09-02/03
Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499

Tel: +65 6479 7307
24 Hours Hotline: +65 6333 5550
Appointments: +65 6479 7307
Email: berthawoonsurgerypteltd@gmail.com

OPERATING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 9 am to 1 pm,
2 pm to 5 pm
Sat / Sun / PH: Closed