Oral Care for Cancer Patients

Contributed by Specialist Dental Group

Over 45,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in Singapore between 2003 and 2007 and cancer now accounts for more than 25% of deaths in the country. Lung, liver, colon and breast cancers are now the most common cancers here.

While some people would associate oral cancer treatment (including tongue cancer) with dentists (usually oral surgeons and oncologists working together), few people realize that dentists also have a role to play for patients with other forms of cancer including head & neck cancer, breast cancer, etc.

When chemotherapy or radiotherapy is indicated for cancer patients, it is important for them to see a dentist for a dental assessment to identify if there are outstanding gum problems or decayed teeth that need to be treated prior commencing cancer treatment. This step can save patients much cost, pain and psychological trauma, and also help medical specialists manage their cancer patients more smoothly.

One of the side effects experienced by patients receiving cancer treatment is dry mouth syndrome or xerostomia. Patients with xerostomia are more prone to tooth decay and have to be extra careful with their dental health.

Tips on dry mouth management include:

• Using non-alcohol based mouthwashes that also contain natural enzymes – however, do be aware that the chemicals in some mouthwashes may cause some discomfort for oral cancer patients post-treatment;
• Using fluoride gel on the teeth and moisturizing gel on the lips and gums;
• Drinking lots of water; and
• Seeing your dentist regularly to ensure that your oral hygiene is well maintained. 

 Specialist Dental Group is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services. For details, send an enquiry via http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.

Youth Hockey: International Ice Hockey Returns to Singapore

Text and photos  by Mark Cranley, Ice Hockey Commissioner

Singapore 2011 Youth Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament

Singapore will once again play host to an international ice hockey tournament when the Youth Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament returns to the cozy confines of the Kallang Leisure Park. The organizers are hoping to attract 300 ice hockey players ranging in age from 4 to 16. The teams that have been invited are Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Philippines, Bangkok, Dubai, Taiwan and Malaysia.

It has been over 4 years since we last held an international tournament here in Singapore. The last one, being a combination of both youth and adult leagues, was extremely well attended and was great free entertainment for the general public visiting Fuji Ice Palace.  We hope to outdo ourselves this time around and top the attendence marks set by the previous tournament.

Ice hockey is growing at a tremendous rate in Asia.  In Hong Kong there are four ice rinks and over 1,500 registered ice hockey players – both male and female. In Singapore, we have over 130 children playing and our numbers are constrained only by the amount of available ice time. With Singapore planning to open an Olympic size ice rink at JCube in Jurong later this year, we can expect a big boost to the sport of hockey, figure skating and speed skating.


The Singapore Ice Dragons, the brain child of a group dedicated Dads from the Canadian Association who hoped a posting to the equator wouldn’t prevent their kids from being a part of the Canadian national past time, was born in 2001. The program started with about 60 children under the age of 12 practicing once a week.  By November 2003, the Ice Dragons had reached critical mass and were able to begin league play.  The spirit of competition and the true love of the game was obvious from the start with a focus on sportsmanship, fair play and team togetherness.

Gradually the program expanded and more ice time was provided. Soon little Bambis were wobbling on the ice from the age of 5. The historical hockey strong-holds of Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden and Finland were well represented, but we were also attracting players from South Africa, Korea, Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and of course Singapore.  By 2007, we had close to 150 die hard players and the league had grown from one to two, and then three divisions.

We have now formed a strong partnership with Kallang Leisure Park and Kallang Ice World. They have provided us with additional ice time and with this we can foresee our program growing back up to the numbers we had in 2007.

Ice hockey is an official NSA here in Singapore, so keep an eye open for the tournament dates and come on down and watch the fastest sport on Earth.

Dragon Boating: Calling All New Paddlers

Text and photos by Laurel Sherwood, Canadian Dragons Representative

This week marks the beginning of the 2011 Singapore Dragon Boat season, and there has been an incredible turn out so far from first time paddlers. With the season proper just starting, now is the perfect time to come along for an introduction to the sport. We had two whole boats dedicated to the new folks at a recent practice, forcing us to borrow a boat from the U.S. team (which we subsequently christened ‘Alaska’). The new paddlers were paired up with a few old hands to help with technique, motivation and fun; making sure that every one of them got some one-on-one attention.

Amber, a first time paddle had this to say after the practice: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first dragon boat experience. The atmosphere was amazing. I really appreciated how welcoming and encouraging everyone was. I had a great time despite the torrential rain and lightning; it’s amazing what one is willing to endure for beer and barbeque on the beach. I will definitely be back!”  Another first timer, Kerry, had this to add: “I really enjoyed my first go at Dragon Boating. It was a lot of fun to get out on the water and paddle and meet such a great group of people. Thanks to the coaches for their patience!!! .

If you have ever considered trying Dragon Boating in Singapore, or even if you swore you would never go back on the water again, NOW IS THE TIME!  So come out and give it a go. See you on the beach!

Interesting Canadian: Franca Ciambella

FRANCA CIAMBELLA – Managing Director and Practicing Lawyer at
Consilium Law Corporation.  http: //www.consiliumlaw.com.sg

With over 20 cumulative years living in Singapore, and as 1st Vice President of the CAS, Franca is a familiar face amongst our Canadian community here in Singapore. We thought we’d catch up with Franca for a little Q&A.

Interview with Franca Ciambella. Canadian from Montreal. Cumulative years in Singapore=20

1. Q: Ok  Franca, you are Managing Director at Consilium Law Corporation, the First VP of the CAS, a member of various business chambers, and a wife and hands-on mother of three teenage boys.  How do you manage to do all of that and still have a semblance of normalcy in your family’s lives?
A:  Who said anything about normalcy, have you seen our food bill? (Hahaha). You know, I do get asked that a lot-especially from young women who are thinking of careers and how they will juggle family and work. I am not sure that I have it all mastered, but there are a few things you can do to give yourself a fighting chance.  (1) Being organized and prioritizing what you need to do.  I make lots of lists and would be lost without them. 
(2) Learn to balance your activities and be sure to take time out for yourself to recharge.  I find I am much more efficient at work and happier after a good night’s rest or working out at the gym or going for a spa treatment…but then again, who isn’t? (3) Learn to work with your spouse as a team.  I have three boys, John (age 14), and twins, Michael and Alexander (age 13), so it’s important for me and my husband Chizzy to work together.  We have different strengths and we realise that we have a joint responsibility to contribute to the family and raising the children. (4) Learn to let some things slide and don’t sweat the small things.  This one is probably hardest for me, as I used to be more of a control freak, but now I just laugh when some things don’t go perfectly and I don’t spend as much time being upset after the fact – this really helps to save a lot of time and energy (I am still working on this though – it takes lots of practice!).

2. Q: You have now been in Singapore for a cumulative period of 20 years. What brought you out here and what is it about Singapore that you like so much?
A: Growing up in your average family in the leafy quiet township of Montreal West, going to the neigbourhood schools and then to McGill, I never dreamt I would leave Canada and end up living in Asia. But I wanted to specialize in the area of law that deals with cross border mergers and acquisitions (international commercial law).  Most of the action we were seeing back home in this area was very limited and mainly between Canada and the US.  So, I applied for and got a job with the Singapore office of a large London law firm where we worked on this type of work for the Asian region and internationally.  My husband Chizzy and I chose to come to Singapore, as opposed to other Asian cities, because of the good quality of life.  As all of the readers will attest, Singapore is clean, safe, and has more green space than many other cities, and of course there are good professional opportunities.  Chizzy is an executive with a multinational in the area of oil and gas, and it has been a good experience so far, for both of us from a career point of view.  We arrived light, carrying only a few suitcases of clothes, but now with a home full of furniture and three kids, you could say we really have a lot of baggage!

3. Q: You happen to be in a very select group, being one of only a few foreigners who are licensed to practice Singapore law under the new rules.  How did this happen and what do you envisage for your firm?
A: I think because of the number of years of experience I have as a lawyer, and the fact that we have been here for so long helped in obtaining all of the exemptions to give me full membership to the Singapore Bar. I feel it is indeed a privilege and an honour, and I am proud that they chose a Canadian to be amongst the first.  The Ministry of Law, the Law Society and all of the bodies I have had to deal with have been very welcoming and helpful.

4. Q: Now I understand that you have since started your own firm, tell us a little more about that.
A: I decided to open Consilium Law Corporation as my next “adventure” after having had the experiences of practicing at and being a partner at a major international Canadian firm and then being a General Counsel for Asia for a Fortune 500 Company.  So the next natural progression for me was to have my own firm that could practice both Singapore local law and offshore law.  We have two main departments, one for corporate and commercial law (including contracts law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment law) which advises not only on Singapore law, but also regional Asian and Canadian work, as well as the family law and litigation department, which is in large part in response to the great need in the expat community for family law expertise in Singapore.   Our aim is to build a team that adheres to the highest of standards and to also to provide a good work life balance for our lawyers and staff.

5. Q: So you’ve been in Asia for quite a while now and I’m sure you must have some stories. Does anything really stick out?
A: I was going to Beijing for work, and it so happened that the Singapore Prime Minister and his delegation were on the same plane. When we landed, I asked the air staff to let me leave the plane before the PM as I was running late.   As I walked out of the plane and down the “L shaped” hanger, I started hearing applause. When I turned the corner, there was a lightening of camera flashes and I was met by the President of China and his wife. They shook my hand and welcomed me to China. I was so nerve-wrecked but managed to joke that I was ”not the Prime Minister” and that I was so “very happy to be in China”. I was so shocked and blinded by all the flashes that I also dropped my briefcase and all my files came pouring out. Everyone laughed and I left as soon as I could.  But now I understand I am one of the few foreigners to ever meet President Hu and I can laugh about the whole thing. 

6. Q: And finally, how do you keep in touch with Canada and do you ever stop feeling Canadian because you have been away so long?
A: I have never felt anything other than Canadian! We keep a home on the slopes at Mont Tremblant, and return regularly to visit my Mother and siblings and their families. Modern technology has also made it much easier to remain in touch. Apart from email, I have an Internet phone with a Montreal phone number, so I call almost daily and its just like being next door. So it is much easier to remain in touch these days. By the way, we make Nanaimo Bars all the time and they are a hit with everyone. Maybe I’ll invite you over for some next time!