YeoMama Club:
Corinne Teo
Meet Corinne, a financial services director.
After her breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, her outlook on life transformed — she began embracing each day with deeper purpose and gratitude, dedicating her time to volunteering, family, self-care, and travel, turning every moment into a celebration of life.
Even when her recovery faced setbacks with relapses in 2017 and 2022, she faced each challenge with strength and hope. Supported by the love and encouragement of those around her, she continues to remind herself — and others — that life is a precious gift, even in the toughest times.
Read on to discover how Corinne continues to live boldly and batikfully, one day at a time.
Corinne is wearing Siora Sleeve Dress
Tell us a little about yourself!
Hi, I’m Corinne Teo, and I’m in the financial services industry, leading a group of passionate consultants who are constantly value-adding to people’s lives. My journey has taught me to be fearless regardless of what happens. A lot of times, things are not within our control. I have also learnt to love myself and my loved ones more - waking up every day is a bonus!
Could you walk us through your treatment journey?
Along the way, I’ve learned to always make time for family, because as we grow older, so do our parents. I decided to do more volunteer work to give back to society as there are a lot of people out there who are more unfortunate than me. I also became more conscious of how my actions and words can affect others, especially loved ones.
Taking care of myself became my priority, so that I can take care of other people. Enjoying life to the fullest and travelling becomes a MUST. Throughout these years, I have learned to celebrate little things in life, making an effort to spend time.
Ever since my first relapse in 2017, I learned to live like a normal person. Every new day becomes very important to me because every day that I wake up is a bonus. I can just live, do whatever I want to do and have fun. Or I can reach out to people and do something very useful. Build my group with the right values to share the importance of insurance and financial planning.
There are lots of people who are not given a chance to say goodbye, however I am given a chance again to continue to stay in this world.
What gave you courage when things felt overwhelming?
The love and support from a lot of people (friends, community) I met during this journey. I was linked up with a breast cancer survivor, who has gone through a few relapses and is still fighting. Her advice: Don’t treat yourself as a patient and tell yourself that you are a survivor. You can do it! When I have relapses, she will always be the first one I texted — she understands what I am going through as she has gone through it herself too. She is like a role model to me and comforts me in times like this. My husband and my loved ones also helped keep me going.
Can you share a moment during your journey that brought you unexpected joy or light?
The ‘don’t eat this’ and the ‘don’t do this’ from loved ones — these might sound irritating. But most of the time, caregivers and loved ones do not know what to say to a cancer patient. These are words of comfort and concern for me because I know they care. I appreciate the occurrences in my daily life and having the ability to be a blessing to others. I continue to live my usual life with thankfulness and gratitude. When I see how my parents reacted to my news. And how they have to stand strong for me, it is not fearful for me anymore. My friends who are always encouraging me. I trust that every experience is guiding me towards something meaningful.
Just last year, my husband actually shaved his head, before I did! He didn’t shave the previous time I relapsed, but it’s okay, because it takes courage to shave off all your hair. I actually wanted to go for hair for hope, but was hesitating because back then, my chemo drugs weren’t causing hair loss. My hair only started dropping when I switched to a new treatment, and I was telling my husband about it and complaining every day (laughs). I would say “My hair is dropping already! Aiya, this chemo is costing my hair!”. Then one day, he came into the room with a shaved head, which surprised me. My husband isn’t good with words, but he really cares for me and takes care of me in such ways, through actions.
What do you wish you’d known about breast cancer before your diagnosis?
Properly preserving my eggs. However, things and technology are different now compared to 13 years back. The risk back then was too high to make this move.
Is there a piece of advice or words of encouragement someone shared with you along the way that has stayed with you to this day?
Having cancer allows you to have time to do what you want to do rather than other forms of sudden death which could be so sudden that there is no time to say goodbye. It’s a mind game, you know? In my earlier days, even though I looked very positive, I also had times where I would feel very doubtful. In fact, I still have such moments now, but once you overcome these negative thoughts with positive ones, then that’s it, you can move on. We can overcome the big ‘C’.
Corinne is wearing Ming Outerwear & Viva Pants with Reversible Bucket Hat
Now, if you were to describe your life as a batik print, what would it look like and why?
Colourful batik print. Life is too boring to be plain. I love all colours!
