MP Liang Eng Hwa to 'progressively resume activities' after completing radiotherapy for nose cancer

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Bukit Panjang Liang Eng Hwa has completed his radiotherapy treatment for nose cancer, and will “progressively resume” his activities in the coming weeks.

In a Facebook post on Friday (Sep 15), Mr Liang said he completed his last treatment session – the 33rd session – at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and that the past eight weeks had been "trying".

“As I continue to manage the side effects from the weeks of radiation accumulation, I will progressively resume my activities in coming weeks,” he wrote.

“It has been a trying journey in the last two months."

Mr Liang also expressed his gratitude to NCCS’ radiation oncologist Dr Kiattisa Sommat “for staging the treatment and setting me on the path to recovery” as well as the centre's radiation therapists.

“I’m heartened and proud that we have such an excellent medical team and the state-of-the-art facilities at NCCS to provide the best care to cancer patients,” he wrote.

In response to CNA's queries about his next step after completing radiotherapy, Mr Liang said that he will be going through a series of blood tests and an MRI scan in three months’ time to ascertain his condition. He will also have monthly consultations with oncologists, and an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

"The blood test is to determine any pick up of Epstein Barr Virus (associated with nose cancer) and together with the MRI scan in three months, I will know if the cancer tumour has been fully cleared," he added.

"Thereafter, there will continue to be half-yearly and yearly check-ups to monitor including a PET scan in the first year mark."

Mr Liang also told CNA that in the months ahead, he will work to recover from the side effects of radiotherapy, such as dry mouth and scorching neck, and regain his strength and appetite.

"I will gradually pace up the activities. The doctor advised that my neck should not be exposed to direct sunlight in the next few months. Hence, I may initially avoid outdoor activities that will be under prolonged sun exposures." 

Mr Liang said that he will be attending the Parliament sitting next week and will attend some of his constituency activities from next weekend. He added that he was still able to continue his weekly Meet-the-People sessions during his last seven weeks of radiation treatment. 

Mr Liang, 59, was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer and said in July he will undergo daily radiotherapy treatment. He added he had been experiencing muffled hearing for his left ear for several months.

"As there are expected side effects, I may need to take time off from some community activities and duties in the next couple of months," he told CNA on Jul 26 in a statement which he subsequently posted on Facebook.

MPs from Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, in particular Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Edward Chia, will cover most of the duties that Mr Liang would be unable to attend.

The Bukit Panjang grassroots team will also continue to serve residents and conduct community programmes and activities.

Mr Liang on Friday thanked his grassroots volunteers, community partners, and colleagues “for holding the fort”, including Dr Balakrishan and Mr Chia for covering many of his duties.

“Some journeys left you with indelible memories. This was one of them,” he wrote on Facebook.

“In a way, I feel like my life has been re-booted. I will cherish even more of what I have and will devote my new life to deliver even more positive impact to others.”

Mr Liang also brought up the "strong support and love" provided by his family and friends, and said he was especially grateful to his wife "who has stood by me and walked alongside this difficult journey with me".

Mr Liang entered politics in 2006 as part of the PAP team that won Holland-Bukit Timah GRC uncontested.

He was later moved from the GRC to contest the single seat of Bukit Panjang in 2020, winning 53.7 per cent of the votes against the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah, who received 46.3 per cent of the vote.

For the current parliament, Mr Liang was appointed chairman of the government parliamentary committee for finance, trade and industry. Government parliamentary committees were set up by the PAP to scrutinise the legislation and programmes of the various ministries.

He was previously a member of the government parliamentary committee for manpower. 

Nasopharyngeal cancer, also known as nose cancer, is one of the more common cancers in men in Singapore, with about 300 new cases diagnosed each year, according to information on the national healthcare platform HealthHub. 

It is often not detected until it is in the late stages as it develops in a “hidden area” at the back of the nose called the nasopharynx. 

Tampines MP Baey Yam Keng was diagnosed with stage one nose cancer in November 2021, for which he underwent radiation therapy. 

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary said at that time that he would slow down his pace of work during the treatment period, after being warned by his doctor that he was likely to get tired more easily.

He announced in April last year that the tumour in his nose was gone and that DNA of the virus associated with the cancer was no longer detected in his blood.