Medal-winning para-athlete Jason Chee loses right eye to cancer – what is this cancer and can it be prevented?
Image from Pixabay
Jason Chee really has it tough. He first made headlines in
2012 when he lost his left arm and both legs in a ship accident while serving
in the navy. Subsequently, he trained in table tennis, represented Singapore as a
para-athlete and has even won medals. Unfortunately, he has been dealt another
setback, this time in the form of eye cancer. Due to the size of the tumour
(larger than 1cm), radiotherapy would not work, so his only option was to
undergo surgery to have the entire affected eye removed. Nevertheless, the
brave man is taking it in stride, and has gone back to training in table tennis
with the use of one eye.
Eye cancer, or choroidal melanoma / eye melanoma, is rarely
talked about in Singapore,
compared to cancers like breast cancer and lung cancer. That is because it’s
more common in Westerners, but low risk does not mean no risk, as demonstrated
by Jason’s situation.
There are no known specific causes of eye cancer, though as with most
cancers, genes play a role. Risk factors include:
o
Light eye colours such as blue and green
o
Being white
o
Increasing age
o
Certain inherited skin disorders
o
Exposure to UV light
Eye cancer usually does not have any symptoms, which
unfortunately makes it difficult to diagnose until it gets serious. If there
are any symptoms, they usually include:
- Growing dark spot on the iris
- Flashing lights sensation
- Change in the shape of the pupil
- Poor or blurry vision in one eye
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Sensation of flashes and specks of dust (floaters)
These
symptoms are also present in other types of eye problems and may not
necessarily hint at eye cancer. Nevertheless, you should take immediate steps
to seek further diagnosis as it could make a difference to your ability to
retain and protect your vision. Regular eye examinations can help detect early
abnormalities in the eye.
Eye
cancer has the ability to spread to other organs, and so it is certainly
important to seek immediate treatment and further examination. As Jason says,
“I had a full body check and thankfully the cancer had not spread to my other
organs. It was very good news and I felt very happy.”
Often
when our loved ones or ourselves come down with a major illness or cancer, the
first reaction is usually, and understandably, “Why me?” Often, we question the
causes, whether there were signs, was it our own fault for overlooking them or
increasing our risk exposure. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the methodologies
for detecting and treating cancers and other rare illnesses have been improving
rapidly, thanks to investments in research and technology, certain illnesses
remain a mystery in some ways.
If
life should deal us a tough hand, the only way is forward, with a positive
mindset.
"I'm only left with my right arm. Now, I'm only left
with my left eye. You only live once, so I live life to the fullest and be
happy day by day."
Certainly, Jason’s grit and determination makes him a role
model and inspiration for everyone. Although his surgery was just about three
months ago, he is already training hard to adapt to his one-eye vision for the
ASEAN Para Games, held in Kuala Lumpur from Sep 17 to Sep 23. I wish him the
very best.
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