Former S’pore PM GCT Said He’s Going for Radiation Therapy to Kill Cancer Cells; Urges S’poreans to Go for Health Screening

Age catches up with everyone.

Sadly, once you get to a certain age, you’re probably going to get a lot more acquainted with your doctor.

Former S’pore PM GCT Said He’s Going for Radiation Therapy to Kill Cancer Cells

Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said he will undergo radiation therapy after a biopsy determined that a nodule in his larynx had squamous (cancerous) cells.

Mr Goh detailed his recent health troubles in a Facebook post on Wednesday (16 Dec).

The 79-year-old said he’s been forced to visit the hospital “umpteenth times” in the last four weeks.

“Just like the weather these days, it never rains but pours for me medically,” he said.

Mr Goh first had to remove a kidney stone, and then undergo a biopsy for a nodule in his larynx.

“The nodule had squamous cells. Fortunately, after excision, the MRI of the neck and the CT scan of the chest showed no trace of these bad cells,” he wrote.

“Still, I have to go for radiation therapy to be sure that all cancerous cells are killed off. It will be 20 sessions over four weeks”.

“What a way to celebrate the festive season!” he added.

Urged S’poreans to Go for Health Screening

In his post, the former PAP chief said he shares his health troubles to encourage Singaporeans to go for regular health screenings.

As he reminded his followers, the Ministry of Health has a subsidised Screen for Life programme for all Singaporeans.

“For those who may experience a lump in the throat and a change in the voice, see an ENT doctor. Ignorance, delay and denial may be costly,” he warned.

“Spot and treat the cancer early, the 5-year survival rate is over 90 percent. Do it after it has spread, the survival rate drops to below 30 percent.”

Despite his various ailments and health scares, Mr Goh maintains a positive outlook on the future.

“My thundery showers will pass. I am looking forward to clear blue sky before the Chinese New Year and more good years thereafter”, he said.

“Season’s Greetings and good health to all.”

Retired After 44 Years as MP

As you know, Mr Goh retired this year as Emeritus Senior Minister just before the 2020 general elections.

Aside from serving as the 2nd Secretary-General for PAP, Mr Goh has served as an MP for a whopping 44 years.

His tenure as an MP started in the 1976 general election when he was just 35.

He represented Marine Parade SMC for 12 years and then Marine Parade GRC for another 32 years after it was absorbed.

After 14 years of being Prime Minister, Mr Goh stepped down in 2004 and became Senior Minister in the Cabinet of Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Goh was given the honorary title of “Emeritus Senior Minister” in 2011 and even has his own wax figure in Madame Tussauds Singapore museum.

On 25 June, the 79-year-old announced his retirement from politics in a Facebook post, after 44 years of service in Parliament.

Featured Image: Facebook (MParader)