Episode Details

Are we talking about health checks and the possibility of cancer enough? Here are Hannah and Samuel’s stories.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

When she was about 35 years old, stay-at-home mother Hannah Seow discovered she had breast cancer after a self-examination. Her diagnosis came about two years after her youngest child, Caleb, died.

For Samuel Ng, a month-long on-and-off fever was a sign that there was a deeper issue. In January 2024, after a blood test, he got the dreaded call. His report was “unfavourable”. Soon after, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

While dealing with cancer, he was laid off from his job.

In this episode, Natasha talks to Hannah, now 37, and Samuel, 35, about how it feels to get cancer as a young adult, their mindset through their journey, and if they want to be known as cancer survivors.

According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022, while cancer remains largely a disease of older age, more young people are being diagnosed with cancer.

Between 2008 and 2012, the age groups with the most rapid increases in the age-specific incidence of cancer were all under 50 years of age - with those aged between 30 and 39 years registering the largest differences.

This trend is also reflected globally, with Global Burden of Diseases data also showing an increasing trend of cancer among younger age groups, with a 79 per cent increase in “early onset”  - under 50 years old - cancer globally between 1990 and 2019.

To celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and those still fighting against the disease, Singapore Cancer Society has organised Relay For Life (RFL) once again. The annual overnight event comprises a 100km physical relay event at National Stadium, as well as a virtual challenge component.

While registration for the physical relay has closed, donations to RFL remain open until March 23, 2025. Donate at www.scsrelayforlife.sg.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:32 How did Hannah and Samuel find out they had cancer?

10:39 What was it like telling people about their diagnoses?

15:35 How both of them stayed positive throughout 

27:46 Should Samuel disclose his cancer diagnosis to a potential employer?

33:57 Do Hannah and Samuel want to leave their cancer story out of their identity?

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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