Meet Dr Chong Chee Keong, a Breast Cancer Surgeon in Singapore

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Meet Dr Chong Chee Keong, a Breast Cancer Surgeon in Singapore

Breast cancer care often begins with a concern: a breast lump, a change noticed during self-examination, or an abnormal result from a mammogram or ultrasound. For many patients, the period between finding a breast change and understanding what it means can be uncertain.

In Singapore, Dr Chong Chee Keong practises as a Breast Cancer Surgeon at Maven Surgery. His qualifications include MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Glasgow), and FAMS (Singapore). He also has Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine from the Specialists Accreditation Board.

 From Breast Screening to Specialist Review

Breast screening and breast imaging can help detect changes that may need further evaluation. Mammograms and ultrasound scans may be used to assess breast lumps, breast pain, nipple changes, or screening findings.

When a result requires further review, patients may be referred to a breast cancer surgeon. The surgeon’s role is not limited to performing surgery. It may also include reviewing imaging results, assessing symptoms, arranging biopsy where appropriate, explaining the diagnosis, and discussing treatment options.

At Maven Surgery, breast-related services include breast cancer surgery, mammogram, and ultrasound services. These services may be part of the assessment process for patients with breast symptoms or abnormal screening findings.

Dr Chong’s Work in Breast Cancer Surgery

Dr Chong Chee Keong’s clinical work includes breast cancer surgery, colorectal surgery, and general surgery. For patients with breast cancer, surgical care may form part of the treatment plan depending on the type of cancer, tumour size, tumour location, lymph node involvement, and overall health.

Breast cancer surgery may involve breast conservation surgery or mastectomy. In some cases, lymph node surgery may also be discussed. These decisions are usually made after diagnostic results have been reviewed and the patient has had the opportunity to understand the recommended care pathway.

Maven Surgery lists breast conservation surgery, mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy among breast cancer treatment-related services.

 Understanding Breast Conservation Surgery and Mastectomy

Breast conservation surgery, sometimes called lumpectomy or wide local excision, involves removing the cancerous area while retaining breast tissue where clinically suitable. This may be considered for some patients depending on tumour size, location, and other medical factors.

Mastectomy involves removal of the breast and may be advised in certain breast cancer cases. The suitability of each surgical option depends on the patient’s diagnosis and individual circumstances.

A breast cancer surgeon may also discuss whether lymph node assessment is needed. This can help determine whether cancer has involved nearby lymph nodes and may guide further treatment planning.

When Breast Symptoms Should Be Checked

Breast symptoms can occur for many reasons, and not all breast changes are caused by cancer. However, medical assessment may be recommended when symptoms persist or when screening results show abnormalities.

Patients may consider seeing a doctor if they notice:

• A breast lump or thickening
• Nipple discharge
• Nipple inversion or changes in nipple appearance
• Skin dimpling, redness, or texture changes
• Persistent breast pain
• An abnormal mammogram or ultrasound result

Assessment may involve clinical examination, imaging, biopsy, or referral for further review, depending on the findings.

 A Background in Surgery and General Surgical Care

Dr Chong’s professional background includes surgical qualifications from Singapore, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, as well as fellowship with the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. His background also includes Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine.

His current appointments include Member of the Singapore Medical Association, Clinical Senior Lecturer at NUS, Clinical Senior Lecturer at SAF, and Visiting Consultant at Changi General Hospital.

His past appointments include Associate Program Director of SingHealth’s Residency Program from 2009 to 2012. He also served as Chairman of the Trauma Committee and Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Changi General Hospital from 2007 to 2013.

 Breast Cancer Care in Singapore

Breast cancer care may involve different healthcare professionals, depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan. A patient’s care may include imaging, pathology review, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and follow-up monitoring.

As a breast cancer surgeon, Dr Chong may be involved in the surgical part of this process, from assessment and surgical discussion to post-operative review. His role as a general surgeon also supports the wider surgical scope of his practice.

 Clinic Locations

Dr Chong sees patients at Maven Surgery in Singapore. The clinic locations listed are:

• Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
• Parkway East Medical Centre
• Farrer Park Medical Centre

Maven Surgery lists its telephone and WhatsApp contact as (+65) 6355 5285. The clinic also states that it has a team to support communication with international patients, including Bahasa Indonesian-speaking patients.