Oncologist: Cancer Patient Life Expectancy Rising Thanks to Precision Therapy

An oncologist from Parkway Cancer Centre Singapore, See Hui Ti, has expressed optimism regarding current cancer recovery rates. She stated that the life expectancy of cancer patients continues to improve significantly thanks to advances in medical technology and increasingly precise cancer treatment methods. During a media discussion in Jakarta on Thursday (16/7), Dr See explained that although the number of cancer cases globally shows an upward trend, therapeutic developments allow patients to survive longer. “Many patients can live more than 10 to 15 years after diagnosis because of increasingly precise treatments,” she said. Despite rapidly advancing medical technology, Dr See reminded the public to remain vigilant about lifestyle risk factors. She highlighted the close relationship between insulin levels, obesity, and certain types of cancer. She stressed the importance of maintaining an ideal body weight through balanced nutritional intake, especially for women to prevent cervical and breast cancer. However, she noted that an ideal body weight is personal and influenced by genetic factors. “Losing weight from obesity to normal is very helpful. However, for those who are already normal, there is no need to become too thin. Specifically for women over 50 or post-menopause, keeping the body slim provides better risk protection,” she added. Regarding cervical cancer prevention, Dr See encouraged parents to ensure their children receive the HPV vaccination as recommended by the government as a primary protective measure. Beyond physical factors, psychological aspects also play a crucial role in the healing process. Based on her clinical experience, Dr See emphasised that prolonged stress can trigger the recurrence of cancer cells. Stress triggers commonly found include domestic conflicts, family problems, and long-term emotional pressure. Therefore, current medical approaches do not only focus on physical therapy but also help patients manage their psychological conditions to achieve optimal recovery.