Cancer survivor continues fitness journey after exercise helped her cope with chemo

SINGAPORE – Taking part in the Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) on Nov 9 represented more than just a 5km race for Cheng Meow Eng.

For the 49-year-old, who was among over 12,000 participants of the event at Singapore Sports Hub, it was testament to her fitness journey after winning her battle with stage three breast cancer.

“When I started chemotherapy, I also started walking and swimming,” she said. “I came to realise that when I was supposed to be feeling weak, I felt fit instead. That’s where I saw the importance of exercise.”

Her cancer diagnosis came in March 2022, after a particularly demanding period of her life, when the mother of three was working as a logistics manager.

“My job gave me a lot of stress and that was too hectic for me, juggling family and work,” said Cheng, who left the company in June 2021. “That’s why I made the decision to take a break. It was actually around the time that I wanted to get back into work that I got diagnosed.”

Treatment started two months later. Over the next 18 months, she underwent a mastectomy as well as multiple reconstruction operations, and also had chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

She struggled with side effects from the treatment, including dry mouth, lack of appetite, nausea and body aches.

It was during this time that Cheng leaned on the support system around her, including counsellors from the Singapore Cancer Society, as she persevered and slowly got better. Her determination to play a proactive role to overcome the illness was also key to her recovery.

“The medical team was doing their best to help me fight against the cancer. So for me, I had to do my part and keep my body fit enough to go through all the treatment,” she said.

“I feel like it’s my responsibility to take care of my own body. I make sure I train, have good muscles and a fitter body, which will help me live better.”

In October 2023, two months before she completed cancer treatment, she took part in the GEWR, along with her then eight-year-old daughter Gan Yue Ern – her youngest child – in the Mummy + Me 2km race.

Even after she had beaten cancer, she continues running. In September 2025, she took part in the Race Against Cancer, also in the 5km category.

Her exercise routine has also inspired her second child and eldest daughter Gan Qi Ern, 16, to embark on her own fitness journey, which Cheng was pleasantly surprised by.

“I never thought that my change could actually affect somebody else besides me,” she added.

Cheng currently does volunteer work with the Singapore Cancer Society, with no immediate plans to return to the workforce. She is focused on leading an active lifestyle and making the most of her newfound lease of life.

Besides the 5km race that Cheng took part in, there were several other categories of the 2025 GEWR, which raised $305,000 for charity. The new 10km tertiary category saw 11 teams from five educational institutions taking part, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) delivering a podium shut-out.

NTU’s Team Pace Setters took first place with a combined time of 2hr 50min 35sec by all four runners. Team Sole Sisters and Team Fast and Flawless finished second and third in 3:18:05 and 3:22:05 respectively.

In the invite-only elite 21.1km category, 2024 runner-up Goh Shing Ling emerged victorious with a time of 1:22:10, with Rachel See and Jasmine Teo finishing behind her in 1:23:20 and 1:25:21 respectively.

Speaking on the importance of celebrating women’s events, Teo said: “There’s not many events in Singapore that’s all women or has a very big hype around supporting women. I think it’s great to be a part of this event and to be given this opportunity.

“(Events like these) push all of us to become faster, to be stronger and encourage each other to go above and beyond our limits.”