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Issue 3 / 2010 A quarterly publication of National University Hospital 03 05 08 New Medical Centre Opening 2013 Save Lives With Clean Hands NUH Staff Honoured For Contributing To Medical Excellence in Singapore Fighting Ovarian Cancer Each year, 265 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Singapore. Among them, more than half will find themselves at an advanced stage of the disease at the same time when they learn about the condition. Eventually, one in three will succumb to the disease. These are somber facts about ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers. MICA(P) No. 071/09/2010 cover story I 02 n June 2010, the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) was part of the inaugural campaign organised to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. The national “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month” served to remind women that for now, early detection remains the best chance of surviving the disease, which is currently the fifth most common cancer among Singapore women, after breast, colorectal, lung and uterine cancers. frequently, bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full. As the symptoms are ambiguous, they can be mistaken for other conditions such as indigestion or “wind” and may be ignored for some time, leading to delay in diagnosis or an initial wrong diagnosis. Hence, it is important that women familiarise themselves with the symptoms and seek medical advice early if these symptoms persist. Facts about ovarian cancer: • Each year in Singapore, some 94 women will die from ovarian cancer. • It is the fifth most common cancer among Singapore women, after breast, colorectal, lung and uterine cancers. • One in two women will be at the advanced stage of the disease upon diagnosis. Ovarian Cancer Symptoms • • • • Abdominal pain Frequent passing of urine Bloating Difficulty eating or feeling full Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist Early Detection Saves Lives Associate Professor Jeffrey Low, Chairman of the Organising Committee, believes the key to combating ovarian cancer lies in awareness and early detection. Says A/Prof Low, Senior Consultant with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at NUH and Head of the Gynaecologic Oncology Division at NCIS: “Unfortunately, since many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer often mimic other less life threatening diseases, an early diagnosis may be overlooked. By helping women to recognise the symptoms, and monitor their persistency, women can become stronger advocates for their own health.” NCIS Support Care Services: Available from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm except weekends and public holidays. • CancerLine – 9722 0569 • Pro-Self Programme Guest-Of-Honour Ms Ellen Lee, MP for Sembawang GRC, and A/Prof Jeffrey Low at the public forum organised to raise awareness on ovarian cancer. This programme provides patients receiving chemotherapy treatment with the information, skills and support to better cope with their illnesses. Individual counselling sessions are conducted on weekdays by oncology-trained nurses who share self-care skills such as managing the side effects of treatment. • Home Care Programme This service is for cancer patients who are well enough to be discharged from hospital but still require some form of support and nursing care at home. The services include changing of patient’s dressing, flushing of catheters, changing of nasogastric tubes. In addition, caregivers will be trained on some basic nursing care skills. The service is free and patients only pay for consumables. • “Look Good Feel Better” Programme This is a free national public service coordinated by the Singapore Cancer Society. Conducted once every two months by volunteers and assisted by our oncology nurses, the programme teaches female patients how to overcome the temporary appearancerelated changes from cancer treatment. It aims to improve their self-esteem and enable them to manage their diseases and treatment with greater confidence. For more information about our support care services call 6773 7888 or visit http://www.ncis.com.sg/patient-and-visitors/supportive-care.html Know The Symptoms Majority of women with ovarian cancer have vague and nonspecific symptoms like pelvic or abdominal pain, need to pass urine NCIS patients and their family members can call this line for cancer-related issues. The Line is manned by trained oncology nurses. The NCIS team on an outing with ovarian cancer awareness ambassadors. Opening 2013 C ome early 2013, NUH patients will be able to consult their doctors at a brand new medical centre conveniently located above the soon-to-be opened Circle Line Kent Ridge MRT Station. What is unique is that this new building will hold teaching and translational clinical research facilities that are designed into the workflow of patient-centred care. We have taken pains to ensure that what we do here will complement facilities located elsewhere on the NUHS-NUS campus, like the Centre for Translational Medicine that is currently under construction. Associate Professor Benjamin Ong, Chief Executive, NUHS The new 20-storey NUH Medical Centre will house specialist outpatient clinics relocated from the hospital’s Main Building. This will allow space at the now 25-year-old Main Building to be upgraded and reconfigured for the expansion of existing and new patient care facilities, including the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS). The medical centre will be home to a comprehensive range of specialist clinical services, including the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS). Patients and visitors can also look forward to amenities such as retail and food outlets. Minister for Health Mr Khaw Boon Wan officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new facility in March 2010. Key Features Hassle-free experience for patients and visitors • Conveniently located above the Circle Line Kent Ridge MRT Station • Accessible via Lower Kent Ridge Road and South Buona Vista Road • Lifts connecting MRT Concourse to all levels of the building • Link bridges connecting the new building to Kent Ridge Wing, which links to Main Building for seamless patient transfer to other outpatient and inpatient services • Designated drop off / pick up points for ambulance, private cars and taxis for smooth traffic flow Patient-Centric Design • No more than three turns to patient care areas • Facilities designed from the perspective of users to minimise movement between different patient care areas within the new building and the entire hospital campus, e.g. ancillary services like imaging, dietetics are located within close proximity to clinical services • Separate corridors for patients on trolleys to give greater privacy The medical centre will be connected to other buildings within the NUH complex by covered walkways, and patients will be able to find their way around intuitively and easily. Within the building, ancillary facilities will be situated within close proximity to clinical services to minimise patient movement. The centre has been designed such that the majority of patients will not have to make more than three turns to get to their clinics or patient care areas. The new medical centre will enable the NUHS to effectively deliver on its threepart mission as an academic medical centre – to provide quality, affordable clinical care to Singaporeans, conduct translational clinical research and educate our future doctors and nurses. Adjunct A/Prof Joe Sim, Chief Executive Officer, NUH Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health NUH news bites New Medical Centre 03