I beat the odds

Addison See, who works in a bank in Manila, tells his story of his brush with colon cancer

I was just 38 when I discovered that I had colon cancer. I went to see my doctor because I had diarrhoea for a few days. I knew very little about cancer and didn’t think much of it when I was first diagnosed. I only took it seriously when my friends and family came to visit me very frequently. I thought, I’d better find out more about this!

At the time, the only person I knew who had colon cancer was a prominent television personality who had died from the disease.

I tried getting in touch with colon cancer patients in the Philippines, but somehow, I could not find any. I got very depressed because I thought they had all died!

My doctors in Singapore were quick to tell me that this is simply not true.

I have had fewer side effects from the treatment here. My doctors tell me there are now many chemotherapy drugs to choose from. For some chemotherapy drugs, the same drug can produce different side-effects, depending on how it is administered.

For example, if the drug is given by bolus injection, that is, a high quantity of the drug is injected at once, it is likely to produce more side-effects compared to an administration by slow infusion over many days and weeks.

Today, I lead an active life – I am back to work in the bank, and enjoy my time with my wife and two teenage children. I also try to get in touch with other patients with colon cancer and encourage them in their journey.

I feel good, and healthy. I know that I have beaten the odds in living longer than expected for someone with stage IV colon cancer. I hope to be cured of the disease one day.