Teresa Ng, a 61‑year‑old veteran oncology‑trained nurse, is the assistant director of nursing at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). She often reflects on how her own experience caring for a dying parent shapes her work.

As a teenager in the early 1980s, Ng looked after her father, who died of terminal liver cancer. She says the uncertainty and helplessness she felt then taught her the value of clear, compassionate communication.

Ng began her career at KKH as a staff nurse in 1993. After postgraduate study and starting a family, she returned in 2004, worked in gynaecological oncology, and moved to breast cancer care in 2009.

Today she heads the Department of Advancing Nursing and Education, overseeing professional development and clinical training. She also chairs the KK Alpine Blossoms Breast Cancer Support Group, which runs peer‑support programmes.

“Patients need more than good medical care. They need someone who will listen, explain things honestly and recognise the person behind the diagnosis,” Ng explains. This belief guides her daily interactions with breast cancer patients.

Ng makes sure patients understand what is known, what remains unknown, and the next steps, without overwhelming them. She encourages questions and reminds them they do not have to grasp everything at the first visit.

She also prepares patients for common side effects such as fatigue, appetite changes and hair loss, explaining how pre‑treatment medication can help. By anticipating concerns, she reduces anxiety and fear.

Beyond medical facts, Ng pays attention to family dynamics. She notes that spouses may push for quick decisions while patients often need time to process the news and think about their children.

To address the practical and emotional challenges of treatment, Ng created two patient‑support initiatives: Knitted Knockers, hand‑knitted breast prostheses for mastectomy survivors, and Yarn Wonders, knitted sling bags for drainage bottles.

Ng says these handmade items show patients they are not alone and provide a comforting, personal touch that goes beyond the clinical setting. Many recipients keep the items as a source of emotional support.

Reflecting on her father’s illness, Ng adds, “When things feel overwhelming, I think about his experience and what it means to be there for someone at their most vulnerable state.” Her story illustrates how personal caregiving can inform a holistic, empathetic nursing approach.