What motivated Tan to stay strong during her treatment was her two boys, she says: 'I must fight for my children. I want to watch my boys grow up'. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
WHEN Mindy Tan, 35, began experiencing repeated discomfort while exercising along with irregular periods in late 2021, she did not ignore the signs. The mother of two went for a medical checkup, which flagged something amiss.
Shortly after, she underwent a biopsy which confirmed that she had cervical cancer.
“At the time, the thought running through my mind was that I didn’t want to die so young,” Tan shares, recalling the feeling of shock that swept through her.
Up until then, Tan had been busy working as a beauty entrepreneur and taking care of her mother and family. She describes herself as someone who has a lot of responsibilities and once the diagnosis came, could not bear the thought of leaving her family behind.
“I knew that I had to survive for my two children, who were only four and one years old,” says Tan, admitting that she cried for three days as she struggled to process the rush of emotions and the reality of what lay ahead.
In the midst of it all, one thought stood out to Tan: “I must fight for my children. I want to watch my boys grow up.”
That determination became a source of strength for Tan to push through despite her adversities.
After consulting four doctors, Tan underwent a hysterectomy to remove her uterus in January 2022. It was a decision she made with a heavy heart, as it meant her dream of having a daughter would never be fulfilled.
“My doctor comforted me and held my hand, telling me that this was something he had to do to save my life,” she says, adding that she was immensely grateful to her doctor, Datuk Dr Sivamohan Namasivayam, for his kindness and consideration in her darkest time.
During the procedure, it was discovered that Tan’s cancer was more aggressive than expected and had progressed to stage three.
She describes 2022 as a “very tough year”, having received five sessions of chemotherapy, 25 sessions of radiation, and three sessions of internal radiation (brachytherapy) by March.
Tan describes 2022 as a “very tough year”, having received five sessions of chemotherapy, 25 sessions of radiation, and three sessions of internal radiation (brachytherapy) by March.
At first, Tan found it difficult to find others she could relate to or exchange advice on her cancer journey. She eventually reached out to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), where she found a strong support network that helped guide her through the challenging period.
“At NCSM, I met other ladies who inspired me and made me feel blessed. I knew I was a tough person and that I could do this,” she says.
Having survived cancer and the series of subsequent treatments, Tan says she now has a renewed perspective on life.
“Back then, I worked all the time. I juggled three jobs and worked seven days a week. I was busy chasing money, but now I prioritise my health. I realised that while money is important, it is not everything. I’ve slowed down and learned to be a better mother, daughter and wife. This experience taught me to appreciate life, my friends, family and children,” she explains.
For the first time in her life, Tan took time to rest and, at the advice of her doctor, booked a two-week family holiday. She maintains a positive mindset and has since challenged herself in new ways – even trying bodybuilding at the encouragement of her gym friends. To her surprise, she was crowned the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Fit Model Overall Champion 2024.
A picture of health: Tan was crowned the WNBF Fit Model Overall Champion 2024. — Photos provided
Tan advises others to take bodily warning signs seriously, to not dismiss “small problems” related to health, and have regular medical checkups. She also emphasises the importance of HPV vaccinations to help prevent cancer and regular screenings to detect cervical changes early.
Today, Tan still continues to deal with some physical effects of cancer. She says she experiences forgetfulness from “chemo brain” and symptoms of premature menopause, which often leave her feeling tired and in need of more rest.
Despite these challenges, Tan says she is learning to enjoy life again, finding joy even in the smallest moments.
“At the end of the day, I am grateful for whatever happens. Instead of turning to blame, I accept my body as it is. I no longer chase perfection – I just have to be myself. I choose myself over everything else now.”
