Shermin Shu, a 30-year-old Singaporean marketing executive, was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer in December 2025, despite having no family history of the disease, according to a report in Straitstimes.
Young Executive Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Shu, who was engaged to comedian Jacky Ng in June 2025, initially dismissed a lump in her right breast as hormonal changes or a blood clot from her muay thai training. However, a clinical examination in December 2025 confirmed a diagnosis of Stage 2B breast cancer. I was young and active. As women, we’re familiar with breast cancer, but we are taught that it happens at a later stage of life,
she said, per the Straitstimes.
She also underwent in-vitro fertilization to freeze eight eggs before treatment, a process she completed while working remotely as a wine importer. Radiation therapy is scheduled for later in 2026, according to the report.
Prioritizing Health Over Career
Despite her diagnosis, Shu has quit her job to focus on recovery while maintaining a modified fitness routine. Being 31 this year, the biggest change I’ve made is to put myself first and listen to my body,
she said. She now trains once a week and coaches kickboxing twice weekly, noting that her muay thai background helped her cope with chemotherapy fatigue.
She has also adjusted to the challenges of being a cancer patient, including explaining her need for rest to friends and family. I don’t look sick,
she said, adding that she sometimes faces flippant questions about her appearance. I have to explain that I’m going through chemotherapy and feeling lethargic.
Early Detection Through Self-Exams and Screenings
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, as outlined by the CDC, recommends mammograms every two years for women aged 40 to 74 with average risk. However, Shu’s case highlights the importance of self-awareness and clinical exams, as she discovered her cancer through self-examination rather than routine screening. The CDC emphasizes that early detection through mammograms can improve survival rates, with over 99% of women diagnosed with localized breast cancer surviving five years or more.