Hi SG folks, this week I received the incredibly soul-crushing diagnosis of stage 1b1 adenocarcinoma of the cervix. I’m 33 this year and I’ve been physically active and strong my whole life, so I was completely shell-shocked at the news.
I’ve been consulting with two gyno-oncologists, one private and one public (KKH). My private surgeon is the one who performed the cone biopsy on me in order to stage the cancer. The next step is a radical hysterectomy, followed by possibly radiation. Has anyone been through either the public or private healthcare system for a similar condition and can share your experience?
My private oncologist has quoted me $60k for the hysterectomy surgery, which is expensive to say the least. If anyone has been through this as well, it would be immensely helpful if you could share any recommendations for good gyno-oncologists in any of the public hospitals that I can potentially go to?
For added context, my hysterectomy surgery is considered a Grade 6A level which indicates high complexity. Grade 7 is the highest level of complexity and cardiac / brain surgeries are usually classed in that bracket. For that reason I’m leaning towards the more experienced private surgeon for speed and accuracy. I’m nervous and scared.
PS: my personal insurance coverage is not great so let’s assume most fees will be out of pocket.
Netizens’ comments
- I’m a 35yo male in Singapore diagnosed with Stage 4A Nasopharyngeal Cancer recently and also undergoing treatment currently at National Cancer Centre, under the public healthcare and subsidy.
I have the option to opt for a private route through my own insurance but decided to go along with the public healthcare. (I am working in an SME so minimum medical benefits, but management have been very supportive in me taking a long term break from work).
Being diagnosed with cancer at the prime of our adult years definitely comes as a rude shock, but a mindset shift is needed to deal with this one step at a time, be it going treatment or handling the financial side of things. - Hi there, sorry to hear this. You can try national cancer center through a polyclinic referral. For cancer cases they usually move with speed especially if you share you have a diagnosis already. If you are a public patient you won’t be able to choose your oncologist but your treatment will be significantly subsidized. If you want to choose a dr, you will be considered a private patient in the public hospital and the cost will be slightly higher.
- Over the years I have witnessed a number of people around me being diagnosed with cancer. Some chose the private route while others opted for public health care.
My anecdotal observation is that those who chose to go the private route generally had better outcomes (granted every case is different – stages of the illness and prognosis etc).. it’s not to say that our public health care system is not up to mark but this is just an observation I’m making based on observations within my social circle.
My personal philosophy is to choose an option that gives me the best chance of nipping the problem in the bud. Financial considerations aside, having prolonged side effects or having to do persistent follow ups is a major downer on moral and life in general.
You’re still very young and thankfully you’re not diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. You still have your whole life ahead of you. Choose the option that you’re most comfortable with, crush the cancer and the world is still your oyster when you make a full recovery. Chin up and stay strong