From The Straits Times    |

We know of famous breast cancer survivors such as Kylie Minogue, Sheryl Crow and Christina Applegate but what about Asian celebrities? Here are four Asian women who conquered the disease.

PAN LING LING

Asian celebrities beat breast cancer PAN LING LING

The much-loved veteran Singaporean actress was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in March 2013, at the age of 42. Just a few days later, she had surgery for a partial mastectomy, followed by a breast reconstruction surgery. There had been six cysts found in her left breast, out of which one was cancerous and thus removed. She then went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Even though she kept her breast cancer to herself at the time, Ling Ling spoke openly about it to the media once she had recovered and urged women diagnosed with the disease not to give up and not to be afraid.

Read more details about Pan Ling Ling’s story: Actress Pan Ling Ling shares her breast cancer story

FRANCES YIP

Asian celebrities beat breast cancer FRANCES YIP

In 1996, at the age of 48, this legendary Hong Kong singer was diagnosed with breast cancer which, thankfully, was at an early stage. She removed the lump via surgery, then did six weeks of radiotherapy. Because it was detected very early, she didn’t need a mastectomy or to undergo chemotherapy. While she still gives the odd concert here and there, Frances currently lives in Sydney, where she takes on the role of a full-time housewife and grandmother to her two grandchildren.

MANDY LAM

Asian celebrities beat breast cancer MANDY LAM

This Hong Kong actress – and former Miss Hong Kong – was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2010 and went through chemotherapy (reportedly over a year). After she recovered from the disease, there was a further happy ending when she married her boyfriend of 13 years, in 2013.

FOYCE LE XUAN

Asian celebrities beat breast cancer FOYCE LE XUAN

Also known as Lim Hui Hui, this Singaporean former singer-actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, when she was just 33. She has a history of the disease in her family – in 1994, her father was the second man in Singapore to be diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer (yes, men can get it too), when she was 14. Two malignant lumps were found in Foyce’s right breast and she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. She had two operations, one to remove the lumps and confirm the diagnosis, and then another one to remove the remaining cancerous breast tissue. She went through hormone therapy and is now cancer free.

Read more about her experience: True story: “My dad had breast cancer– and so did I”  

Read more on Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Here’s how much breast cancer screening costs in Singapore; #DieDieMustBuy limited-edition beauty loot to show your support for breast cancer and A guide to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Singapore

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