About this article:
- Read about Noelle’s cancer diagnosis shortly after childbirth and how life can change quickly.
- Understand how her Integrated Shield Plan and Critical Illness Plan supported her recovery, both medically and financially.
- Learn about the importance of early detection and the peace of mind to focus on recovery.
Table of Contents
Pregnancy, childbirth, and eventual motherhood is typically one of the most joyful experiences some women experience. In 2019, when she was just 25 years old, and weeks after giving birth to her first child, Noelle noticed a hard lump on the left side of her body. The diagnosis came as a shock, 2A chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, a rare form of kidney cancer.
Noelle’s journey is one of resilience, hard choices, and a deep belief in the power of being prepared, especially when it comes to health insurance.
Noelle’s unexpected diagnosis
Noelle’s cancer journey began not in a hospital, but during a postpartum massage; (a story not unfamiliar to some of our readers). When her therapist pressed on the left side of Noelle’s body, she felt discomfort, and a firm, unfamiliar lump. Noelle initially assumed it was just a post-partum ache or strain but decided to trust her gut and raised her concerns during her postnatal gynae check-up, where a quick ultrasound scan turned into an urgent referral.
A CT scan confirmed the worst: a tumour over 9 cm in size, located squarely in the centre of her left kidney. Because of its size and position, a biopsy wasn’t necessary, instead, her doctors recommended the complete removal of the affected kidney without delay.
“It wasn’t just a scare, it was a life-changing diagnosis,” Noelle recalls.
The emotional weight hit hard.
We were in a happy newborn bubble, just starting our life as a family. Then suddenly, cancer.
Her husband took the news especially hard.
He broke down when we got the confirmation. I was only 25. I had just become a mum… and now I had to think about whether I’d live to raise my child.
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The right doctor and hospital for cancer care
For Noelle, where she received treatment mattered just as much as what the treatment was. She underwent surgery at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, a decision shaped by trust, experience, and the need for comfort during a deeply vulnerable time.
“I’ve been seeing my gynae, Prof Tan, since I was 15. When he found the lump during my postnatal review, he didn’t hesitate to refer me to a trusted renal specialist he worked closely with. That continuity of care gave me confidence.”
Her decision to choose a private hospital was also influenced by a difficult experience at a public hospital years ago. During a previous surgery for an ovarian cyst, she felt the care was rushed, the ward was noisy, and the overall environment left her feeling overlooked.
When you’re already sick, the last thing you want is to feel like just another number. I needed somewhere clean, quiet, and supportive, and now I had the insurance coverage to make that choice.
The ability to select her own specialists, avoid long wait times, and recover in a comfortable single room allowed Noelle to focus fully on healing, both physically and emotionally.
Health insurance and cancer care in Singapore
Without insurance, I don’t know how we would have coped. It wasn’t just the medical bills, it was also the income loss, the childcare expenses, the stress.
Thanks to her financial cushion, she could take a full year off work to rest, recover, and bond with her baby and husband.
A financial advisor who walked the talk
It was heartbreaking. If I had acted just a few months earlier, it would have made a huge difference.
Why insurance let her focus on what truly mattered
Because of her well thought out insurance plans, Noelle could:
- Choose her preferred hospital and specialist
- Skip the long waits for public healthcare
- Take a full year off to recover and care for her baby
- Make decisions based on medical advice, not money
Insurance gave me the freedom to focus on my health, my baby, and my husband, not my finances.
What Noelle wants other Singaporeans to know
As a financial advisor and cancer survivor, Noelle is passionate about helping others understand their policies before a crisis hits.
Don’t wait until something happens to figure out what you're covered for. Ask questions. Review your plans after every big life event. And never assume you're too young or too healthy to need protection.
Health insurance is an ever-changing landscape. You may have bought your plan years ago, but things have changed. Remember to review your plans occasionally so you’re never caught off guard if you ever have to use your plan. With recent changes to Integrated Shield Plans, such as co-payments, panel doctor restrictions, and rising premiums, staying updated is more important than ever.
Noelle hopes her story will inspire others, especially young parents, to take action.
You don’t need to know everything about insurance. You just need to start. Because you never know when life will test you.
Don’t wait for a diagnosis to figure out your insurance. Understand your coverage now, it could save your life, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Key Insurance Types
Integrated Shield Plan: An Integrated Shield Plan covers inpatient treatment and hospitalisation costs.
Personal Accident Plan: A Personal Accident Plan covers accident-related expenses, including outpatient treatment.
Critical Illness Plan: A Critical Illness Plan provides a lump sum payout upon critical illness diagnosis, which can be used to cover non-insurable expenses like off-list drugs.
Know Your Coverage, Before You Need It
