In recent years, breast cancer has become one of the biggest nightmares for Taiwanese women. According to statistics from major hospitals, published in September by the Foundation of Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment, over the past 20 years the incidence of breast cancer in Taiwan has grown by 2.8 times. Nine women develop breast cancer every day, and the disease is increasingly affecting younger women.

Usually, when breast cancer is diagnosed the woman does not have any pain or discomfort, and pressing on the lump in her breast is not painful either. That being so, when the doctor tells her she needs an operation, in most cases she will find this very difficult to accept. What distresses Dr. Hsieh most is to see a woman weeping uncontrollably, or being overcome with terror, when he has told her she has breast cancer. Also, during consultations he is often unable to answer all a patient's questions in detail. This is why for the last ten years he has given up his weekends to take part in the free breast cancer clinics put on jointly by TAH and the S. Y. Dao Memorial Fund. He also believes that the experiences of women who have already undergone surgery can provide far greater comfort than the words of health professionals.

Others have been there

In 1992, by chance he was able to try introducing patients who had had surgery to patients who had been recently diagnosed with cancer, and found it to have a very positive effect. So he actively promoted the setting up of a cancer patients' self-help association. The association invites doctors to its monthly meetings to speak and provide information on treatment, and also gives guidance on diet and lifestyle. Some patients talk about their own illness, and exchange their insights about their struggle with cancer. Dr. Hsieh always attends, to provide advice to anyone who needs it.

Over the past ten years, Hsieh has noticed that patients who take an active part in the association's activities have a happier and more positive outlook on life, and also survive longer, whereas those who shut themselves off and are unwilling to communicate suffer greater distress, and have a higher rate of relapse. He therefore always emphasizes that one should not overlook the effects of psychology on the course of disease, and that it is vital for patients to walk out from under the shadow of cancer.

"Who says cancer is a death sentence? I've survived 12 years." Hu Mu-tan (Mu-tan means "dahlia"), president of the self-help association, had her right breast removed by Dr. Hsieh 12 years ago. She says with a vivacious smile that today her life is like a dahlia in full bloom.

Hu says: "Dr. Hsieh is an excellent surgeon. He does very clean work. But the most important thing is that he is very compassionate. He always introduces patients to each other, because he believes outcomes are better when patients help each other. That's why in January 1992, when he was having dinner with five of us, he encouraged us to set up the association. For the last ten years, Dr. Hsieh has never stopped showing concern and giving encouragement to patients. He can often bring out a patient's own potential, and he guides us in understanding the meaning of life, and living lives of value." Hsieh's encouragement has helped many patients to survive for longer. Hu Mu-tan says with gratitude: "Dr. Hsieh is our spiritual mentor."

Many patients are grateful to Hsieh Chia-ming. What he finds most heartrending is to see how some patients' families do not stand by them when they are stricken with breast cancer-in particular if the husband is having an affair. In cases such as this, Dr. Hsieh does not shrink from his duty of providing psychological guidance and support.

Birthday cakes

Graphic design teacher Hsieh Kui-chih found out she had breast cancer in 1993. She had her operation two days before the Chinese New Year. Her husband, who already often failed to return home at night, did not come to her bedside. Alone in her hospital bed, going over all this in her mind and hearing the sound of firecrackers outside, she wept as she passed a desolate and lonely New Year's Eve. When she phoned home on New Year's Day and the following day, her mother-in-law told her that her husband had not returned home for the New Year. Deeply hurt, and seeing all her dreams shattered, in desperation she went to the bathroom of her hospital room and tried to kill herself. Her life was only saved when the patient in the next bed found her and alerted hospital staff.

On hearing the news, Dr. Hsieh hurried over. When Hsieh Kui-chih awoke he did not rebuke her, and did not ask a lot of questions. He simply said: "When your children grow up, you will be the one who benefits most. You should live on for your children's sake!" Thinking of her two beautiful daughters, Hsieh Kui-chih suddenly came to her senses and replied: "I do want to carry on living-and I'll outlive him!" Since then, with the concern and support of association members, she has passed one healthy Chinese New Year after another.

Three years ago her husband retired, and finally changed his ways. Since then, every Chinese New Year's Eve Hsieh Kui-chih has cut a birthday cake together with her husband and daughters. She says: "My whole family owes its gratitude to Dr. Hsieh."

Over the last quarter of a century, Hsieh Chia-ming has saved countless people. Born in Taoyuan County, from an early age he was raised as a son by his aunt, Hsieh Hao, who had no children of her own. Hsieh Hao was a highly experienced and caring midwife, and attended the birth of Vice President Annette Lu. Now aged 86, she is still in good health. Her husband, an internist, was famous throughout the Taoyuan area. Growing up in a doctor's family, it was only natural that Hsieh Chia-ming chose a medical career. In 1973 he graduated in pharmacy from Taipei Medical College, and went to study medicine at Nagasaki University in Japan. After graduating in 1977, he passed the Japanese license exams and began practicing at Nagasaki University Medical Center. Later, with financial assistance from his mentor Professor Maso Tomida, he went to Canada to do research at the University of Toronto's Institute of Medical Science. In January 1990 he returned to Taiwan and became director of surgery at TAH, where he has remained ever since.

Candles that brighten lives

"Patients are human beings! Doctors should treat the person as well as the disease." This is Hsieh Chia-ming's philosophy for medical practice. Looking back over his 25-year career in medicine, he has no regrets. On the contrary-he feels that the greatest satisfaction he derives from being a doctor is this: "When patients are helpless and need you, you can use your knowledge and skill to give them the best treatment and advice, to help them recover and return to their previous lives. This gives you a tremendous sense of achievement."

Dr. Hsieh also makes this appeal: "Health is very important. When you are healthy, you should take notice of any unusual symptoms and get them checked out promptly, because many diseases can be treated very effectively if they are discovered early. You can only enjoy life if you have a healthy body and mind."

Dr. Hsieh's cellphone is never switched off. He is always there for his patients, and the only thing on his mind is their health. He lights candles that brighten their lives.

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Dr. Hsieh Chia-ming, director of breast surgery at Taiwan Adventist Hospital, has both the skills and the ethos of a physician. He has saved the lives of countless patients.

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Dr. Hsieh encouraged breast cancer sufferers to organize a self-help association that meets monthly to exchange insights into life and the fight against cancer. From time to time they also put on fun events such as fashion shows and beauty contests.

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Prevention is better than cure. Regular breast examinations are guardians of women's health.