The first thing Aly Khairuddin did after learning she had breast cancer was drive to Labrador Park, where she parked herself on a bench and wept for two hours. Her mother had died of the disease and she could not imagine her two young daughters grappling with the same magnitude of loss. “I thought I would have to buy them presents and cards in advance so they would have something every birthday,” she recounts.
A crippling chain of events followed. Although the cancer was diagnosed at Stage 1 and comprised a small 0.5-cm lump in her right breast, a lumpectomy became a double mastectomy when her cancer markers remained unclear. Then, breast reconstruction failed when her implants became infected. “I removed one before finding out that I also had to remove the other. My doctors were stunned. They’d never seen a patient as unlucky as me,” she says.
She resorted to wearing prosthetics, but soon gave up. “My bra would ride up because they were a bit heavy and I had to constantly make adjustments.”
Her ordeal was further aggravated by the punishing effects of chemotherapy. She gained 16kg, lost all her hair, and experienced hot flashes and sweats. Some days, she’d bawl on the kitchen floor while trying to cook dinner for her family. But on other days, when she felt better, she’d be able to do a 10-minute workout in her bedroom. She knew she had to rebuild strength to regain some confidence.
That was eight years ago. Aly is now cancer-free today and an active volunteer with the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF). “I’m a staunch advocate for raising awareness about early detection and community support. I’ll never stop talking about breast cancer,” she affirms.
As a half-Malay woman, she also makes it her mission to spread the word about breast cancer within the Malay community as mammography uptake is lowest among those of Malay ethnicity. The good news, she adds, is that the issue is something BCF is working on resolving.
She also helps women challenge their limiting or negative body image beliefs through consistent exercise. In 2017, two years after her breast cancer diagnosis, she founded pilates studio Fitnut Loft. Most of her clients are in their 40s and 50s. “I had cancer at 43. Due to my treatment, my body aged significantly and I developed arthritis, weakness, and pain. ”
“I understand what it’s like to live with these discomforts first-hand, so I want to assist older women who aren’t accustomed to exercising. I love helping clients do things they never thought were possible.”
Aly Khairuddin on her primary motivation
Aly also designed a pilates programme that accommodates the needs of breast cancer survivors, and trains all of her coaches to support them.
Her advice to breast cancer patients? Seek out two to three professional opinions so you can make an informed decision, don’t rely on Google, and be specific about the type of support you need from friends and family.
Art director: Ed Harland
Videographer: Alicia Chong
Photographer: Mun Kong
Photographer’s assistant: Hizuan Zailani
Hair: Aung Apichai using Kevin Murphy
Makeup: Sha Shamsi using Chanel Beauty
