Early onset breast cancer represents clinically significant and growing group of cancer patients that is often associated with more aggressive tumor characteristics, need for tailored systemic approaches, and complex psychosocial implications requiring multidisciplinary management. This CME session will explore the unique characteristics of early-onset breast cancer, including its epidemiology, genetic predisposition, toxicity management, and distinct treatment considerations such as fertility preservation. The session will also address the psychosocial impact, including mental health, family planning, and survivorship concerns. Understanding the unique trajectory of our young breast cancer patients is essential for improving early detection, delivering personalized treatment, and supporting long-term survivorship in this vulnerable population.
Our Speaker
Dr. Joline Lim
Medical Oncologist
Dr Joline Lim is a medical oncologist at Curie Oncology and a visiting senior consultant at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS). Her clinical and research focus is on female cancers—particularly breast oncology, and clinical trials involving novel anti-cancer agents and biomarkers.
She previously served as senior consultant at NCIS, clinician scientist at the Cancer Science Institute, and assistant professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS. Dr Lim graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore and completed her advanced training in Medical Oncology at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore. She pursued research training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre / Brigham and Women Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston and advanced training in early phase drug development at the Royal Marsden Hospital in the United Kingdom.
Dr Lim has a keen interest in translational research involving novel anti-tumour therapies including molecular targeted agents and immunotherapies, and the application of emerging predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. A strong advocate that patients should not only liver longer but also better, Dr Lim is active in survivorship care research including scalp and limb cooling methodologies to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicities. She is a lead investigator in active studies for novel peripheral cryocompression devices to reduce chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Her peer-reviewed publications to date include the New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer Discovery, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Annals of Oncology.
She is the immediate past chairperson of the Chapter of Medical Oncology, College of Physicians, Academy of Medicine Singapore, and also is also an executive committee member of the Singapore Society of Oncology.
