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【2006/11/14 United Daily News / Reporters Xu Junbin, Shi Jingru / Taipei】
Chen Chunzhen, the wife of Ko Tsang-ming, a leading authority in paternity testing in Taiwan, passed away from breast cancer at the age of 52. Chen Chunzhen underwent regular breast examinations every year, but by the time the cancer was discovered, it was already at an advanced stage, leaving Ko Tsang-ming, a medical school professor, deeply disheartened.
Ko Tsang-ming, aged 57, has served as a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at National Taiwan University, the director of the Department of Eugenics and Health, and the superintendent of the Provincial Taoyuan Hospital. His expertise lies in genetics, prenatal diagnosis, and molecular biology. He is a classmate of Health Minister Hou Sheng-mao, former Taipei Deputy Mayor Yeh Chin-chuan, and National Taiwan University Hospital Superintendent Lin Fang-yue. Recently, in a book co-authored with his classmates and published by the John Tung Foundation, "Sunshine, in This Class," he reminisced about his late wife, revealing, "This is an irreparable regret in my life."
During an interview with our reporters, Ko Tsang-ming shared that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at the age of 51. She had been undergoing annual breast examinations at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center for the previous three years, including the year she was diagnosed, but no abnormalities were detected by the doctors.
Ko Tsang-ming recounted that one day in 2002, his wife felt a lump in her breast and sought consultation with a breast cancer specialist at Koo Foundation. The doctor assured them it was normal, and they trusted the doctor's opinion. Three months later, sensing something was wrong, he took his wife to National Taiwan University Hospital, where an ultrasound revealed that her breast cancer was "very obvious," measuring 5 to 6 centimeters and already at an advanced stage III.
"After receiving this news, my wife and I held each other and cried countless times!" As a doctor, Ko Tsang-ming felt deeply frustrated that he couldn't save his wife. His wife, a graduate of the nursing department at National Taiwan University, had worked as a nurse and later taught in the nursing department at the university.
Ko Tsang-ming mentioned that the doctor who treated his wife at Koo Foundation was also a relative, and both he and his wife had complete trust in this doctor. "How could we have imagined it would come to this?"
"After the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer at National Taiwan University Hospital, my wife and I prepared for the worst," Ko Tsang-ming said. They were offered folk remedies but chose to stick to conventional treatments at National Taiwan University Hospital. They proceeded with surgery to remove the cancer, followed by chemotherapy and targeted therapy. When the cancer metastasized to the liver, they also underwent surgery and alcohol injection therapy.
Drawing from the profound pain of losing his wife, Ko Tsang-ming advises women not to rely solely on one doctor's opinion. If they feel something is wrong but the doctor says it's normal, they should seek a second opinion promptly.
Ko Tsang-ming also urges women diagnosed with breast cancer to face the reality bravely and undergo conventional treatments. He warns against relying on folk remedies based on a few exceptional success stories, as this could delay proper treatment.
Ko Tsang-ming shared that he and his wife had planned to travel abroad after the Lunar New Year in 2003. However, just before their departure, his wife suddenly developed severe jaundice. Tests revealed that the breast cancer had metastasized to the liver and lymph nodes, blocking the bile duct and causing severe jaundice. The doctors recommended surgery for drainage, but his wife and he decided against it.
Ko Tsang-ming explained that his wife's symptoms indicated widespread metastasis of breast cancer throughout her body. Even with surgical drainage, it would not improve her condition. They chose to forgo surgery, allowing her to pass away peacefully.
Before the Lunar New Year in 2003, Ko Tsang-ming's wife passed away. To this day, a statue of his wife remains in his room, a tribute to his beloved. As a renowned doctor who couldn't save his wife, he can only sigh deeply.How to Choose Screening: Discuss with a Breast Specialist
[Reported by Chen Huihui and Shi Jingru, Taipei]
Is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suitable for breast cancer screening? Zhao Kunyu, Deputy Director of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) under the Department of Health, stated that the best approach is to consult with a breast specialist to determine the most appropriate method—whether it be X-ray, ultrasound, or the addition of MRI (breast MRI)—based on individual circumstances.
Zhao Kunyu pointed out that for community screening, the benefits of MRI are not supported, and it has a higher rate of false positives compared to other screening methods, leading to more "false alarms." Further examination or follow-up is often required to confirm whether there is an actual issue.
Data from the Department of Health shows that in 2005, the number of female breast cancer deaths was 1,439, with a mortality rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people.
The HPA noted that the peak age for breast cancer in women is between 45 and 55 years old.
The HPA originally planned to implement a pilot program for breast cancer screening using MRI, targeting high-risk groups—specifically, those with a family history where two or more first-degree relatives (mother, sister, or daughter) have had breast cancer. However, the public bidding process for this program did not pass.
The current research project focuses on women aged 40 to 49, evaluating the effectiveness of alternating between annual X-ray and ultrasound screenings.
Zhao Kunyu explained that premenopausal women in Asia tend to have denser breasts with more glandular tissue, which reduces the penetration of X-rays and makes it less accurate for detecting early-stage breast cancer that cannot be felt. While ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool, there is no literature yet proving its suitability for large-scale breast cancer screening. Therefore, the HPA has commissioned a five-year research project to inform future policies, which is still ongoing.
Annual Checkups Missed Late-Stage Breast Cancer: Renowned Doctor Ko Tsang-Ming Mourns Wife's Passing
Chen Chunzhen, the wife of Ko Tsang-ming, a leading authority in paternity testing in Taiwan, passed away from breast cancer at the age of 52. Chen Chunzhen underwent regular breast examinations every year, but by the time the cancer was discovered, it was already at an advanced stage, leaving Ko Tsang-ming, a medical school professor, deeply disheartened.
Ko Tsang-ming, aged 57, has served as a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at National Taiwan University, the director of the Department of Eugenics and Health, and the superintendent of the Provincial Taoyuan Hospital. His expertise lies in genetics, prenatal diagnosis, and molecular biology. He is a classmate of Health Minister Hou Sheng-mao, former Taipei Deputy Mayor Yeh Chin-chuan, and National Taiwan University Hospital Superintendent Lin Fang-yue. Recently, in a book co-authored with his classmates and published by the John Tung Foundation, "Sunshine, in This Class," he reminisced about his late wife, revealing, "This is an irreparable regret in my life."
During an interview with our reporters, Ko Tsang-ming shared that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at the age of 51. She had been undergoing annual breast examinations at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center for the previous three years, including the year she was diagnosed, but no abnormalities were detected by the doctors.
Ko Tsang-ming recounted that one day in 2002, his wife felt a lump in her breast and sought consultation with a breast cancer specialist at Koo Foundation. The doctor assured them it was normal, and they trusted the doctor's opinion. Three months later, sensing something was wrong, he took his wife to National Taiwan University Hospital, where an ultrasound revealed that her breast cancer was "very obvious," measuring 5 to 6 centimeters and already at an advanced stage III.
"After receiving this news, my wife and I held each other and cried countless times!" As a doctor, Ko Tsang-ming felt deeply frustrated that he couldn't save his wife. His wife, a graduate of the nursing department at National Taiwan University, had worked as a nurse and later taught in the nursing department at the university.
Ko Tsang-ming mentioned that the doctor who treated his wife at Koo Foundation was also a relative, and both he and his wife had complete trust in this doctor. "How could we have imagined it would come to this?"
"After the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer at National Taiwan University Hospital, my wife and I prepared for the worst," Ko Tsang-ming said. They were offered folk remedies but chose to stick to conventional treatments at National Taiwan University Hospital. They proceeded with surgery to remove the cancer, followed by chemotherapy and targeted therapy. When the cancer metastasized to the liver, they also underwent surgery and alcohol injection therapy.
Drawing from the profound pain of losing his wife, Ko Tsang-ming advises women not to rely solely on one doctor's opinion. If they feel something is wrong but the doctor says it's normal, they should seek a second opinion promptly.
Ko Tsang-ming also urges women diagnosed with breast cancer to face the reality bravely and undergo conventional treatments. He warns against relying on folk remedies based on a few exceptional success stories, as this could delay proper treatment.
Ko Tsang-ming shared that he and his wife had planned to travel abroad after the Lunar New Year in 2003. However, just before their departure, his wife suddenly developed severe jaundice. Tests revealed that the breast cancer had metastasized to the liver and lymph nodes, blocking the bile duct and causing severe jaundice. The doctors recommended surgery for drainage, but his wife and he decided against it.
Ko Tsang-ming explained that his wife's symptoms indicated widespread metastasis of breast cancer throughout her body. Even with surgical drainage, it would not improve her condition. They chose to forgo surgery, allowing her to pass away peacefully.
Before the Lunar New Year in 2003, Ko Tsang-ming's wife passed away. To this day, a statue of his wife remains in his room, a tribute to his beloved. As a renowned doctor who couldn't save his wife, he can only sigh deeply.How to Choose Screening: Discuss with a Breast Specialist
[Reported by Chen Huihui and Shi Jingru, Taipei]
Is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suitable for breast cancer screening? Zhao Kunyu, Deputy Director of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) under the Department of Health, stated that the best approach is to consult with a breast specialist to determine the most appropriate method—whether it be X-ray, ultrasound, or the addition of MRI (breast MRI)—based on individual circumstances.
Zhao Kunyu pointed out that for community screening, the benefits of MRI are not supported, and it has a higher rate of false positives compared to other screening methods, leading to more "false alarms." Further examination or follow-up is often required to confirm whether there is an actual issue.
Data from the Department of Health shows that in 2005, the number of female breast cancer deaths was 1,439, with a mortality rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people.
The HPA noted that the peak age for breast cancer in women is between 45 and 55 years old.
The HPA originally planned to implement a pilot program for breast cancer screening using MRI, targeting high-risk groups—specifically, those with a family history where two or more first-degree relatives (mother, sister, or daughter) have had breast cancer. However, the public bidding process for this program did not pass.
The current research project focuses on women aged 40 to 49, evaluating the effectiveness of alternating between annual X-ray and ultrasound screenings.
Zhao Kunyu explained that premenopausal women in Asia tend to have denser breasts with more glandular tissue, which reduces the penetration of X-rays and makes it less accurate for detecting early-stage breast cancer that cannot be felt. While ultrasound is an excellent diagnostic tool, there is no literature yet proving its suitability for large-scale breast cancer screening. Therefore, the HPA has commissioned a five-year research project to inform future policies, which is still ongoing.