KFSYSCC: Standing Tall at Thirty

When she was 30, Miss Huang discovered a hard lump in her breast, leaving her extremely anxious and unsure of what to do next. A friend advised her to seek a consultation at a hospital specializing in cancer treatments. She decided to visit KFSYSCC for an evaluation and was relieved when tests showed the lump was benign. Throughout her visit, she was impressed by the hospital's professionalism and the warmth she felt, instilling a sense of security in her. For the ensuing two decades, Miss Huang has consistently chosen KFSYSCC for her regular breast and overall health check-ups.

1990: Committed to Cancer Care, Providing Wholehearted Patient Care

30 years ago, the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center was established with a commitment to cancer treatment. They vowed to care for patients wholeheartedly and aspired to stand shoulder to shoulder with world-class cancer centers, aiming to reduce the threat of cancer to humanity. The hospital's director, Dr. Andrew T. Huang, set an initial performance goal: to match the 5-year survival rate for cancer patients in the U.S. According to the U.S. SEER Cancer Statistics Review (CSR) from 1985 to 1989, the relative 5-year survival rate for invasive cancer patients was 54.4%. In Taiwan at the time, due to the absence of a national cancer registry, it was estimated from a few hospital records that the 5-year cancer survival rate was about 30-40%.

25 years later, during a routine health check-up, an abnormality was found in Ms. Huang's breast ultrasound. Further tests confirmed she had breast cancer. Thankfully, due to her regular check-ups, the discovered tumor was only about 1.4 cm in size. The medical team discussed the treatment options with Ms. Huang and decided on tumor removal surgery. After her surgery, Ms. Huang quickly recovered, and life returned to normal. She fondly remembers how the KFSYSCC medical team, including doctors, nurses, and lab technicians, was very professional and caring during her treatment.

2020: Standing Firm at Thirty

Confucius said in the Analects, "At thirty, one stands firm." He also mentioned establishing oneself in rites. This means that by the age of thirty, one should have a firm grasp of their moral beliefs and external behaviors.

Medical Value Established:

From the beginning, KFSYSCC introduced Taiwan to a patient-centered integrated medical model. Every patient's condition and treatment decision was discussed by a medical team to select the best approach. This model led the hospital to achieve a 5-year survival rate of 57% for cancer patients diagnosed from 1990 to 1997. This rate has steadily increased. From 2013 to 2017, the 5-year survival rate for all stages of cancer reached 74% and 72% for invasive cancers, exceeding the national rate of 52% (the U.S. rate from 2010 to 2016 was 67.4%). Over the past 30 years, KFSYSCC has focused on an integrated medical team model to provide superior care for its patients, achieving a 5-year cancer survival rate that's 20% higher than the national average and effectively reducing the death rate from cancer.

Value in Health Outcomes:

After her breast cancer treatment, Ms. Huang became aware of the close link between obesity and breast cancer. She started exercising regularly at a nearby gym that has branches across the province. After nearly a year, in 2020, she read an article in KFSYSCC’s newsletter about their health clinic and participants' experiences. Though she had been exercising for almost a year, her weight hadn't decreased, and her body fat percentage remained high. Wanting to address her exercise and dietary habits, she was attracted to the comprehensive and personalized services offered by KFSYSCC’s health clinic, which included medical consultations, dietary and nutritional advice, and exercise training. Having had a positive and trusting experience with the hospital in the past, she immediately signed up.

Prioritizing Health Outcomes in Medical Services

While KFSYSCC boasts a high post-treatment survival rate for its cancer patients, Director Andrew T. Huang observed that many of these patients often neglect or remain unaware of how to foster ongoing health post-treatment. He realized the importance of proactive efforts in cancer prevention, emphasiz-ing the need to assist both patients and the community in cultivating healthier lifestyles to ward off threats of cancer and chronic illnesses. A healthy lifestyle, which includes avoiding smoking and betel nut chewing, maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular exercise, and ensuring mental well-being, has been consistently proven by research to reduce the risks of develop-ing cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

In light of this, as KFSYSCC approached its 30th anniversary, it established the Health Promotion Center. This center, equipped with a diverse team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, pharmacists, and fitness trainers, initiated services to promote health education to the public. This team offers comprehensive health assessments and lifestyle evaluations for each patient, creating personalized health plans. Their goal is to guide, support, and assist individuals in adopting healthier living habits. Building on its 30-year foundation in healthcare, KFSYSCC aims to complement its medical services by assisting patients and the community in achieving health-centric outcomes.

After attending KFSYSCC’s health clinic, Ms. Huang gained a wealth of knowledge on self-health promotion. Following the medical team's advice, she made daily dietary adjustments and adhered to the exercise regimen provided. In just 8 weeks, she shed 2.8 kilograms. A body fat analysis revealed a 3-kilogram reduction in body fat and a 0.2-kilogram increase in skeletal muscle mass. Moreover, her blood tests indicated improved glucose and cholesterol levels.

Ms. Huang expressed immense gratitude to the KFSYSCC medical team. Not only did she achieve fat loss and muscle gain, but she also learned the right exercise techniques and dietary habits, enabling her to continually maintain her health.

Emphasizing Cancer Treatment and Health Promotion as Our Mission

On the eve of KFSYSCC’s 30th anniversary, the board unanimously decided on March 17, 2020, to incorporate "Health Promotion" into the hospital's mission statement. From then on, KFSYSCC adopted a dual-service model focusing on "Cancer Treatment and Health Promotion." The KFSYSCC medical team commits to working alongside patients and the broader community in their fight against cancer, continuing to provide health-centric valued medical services.