Eugene Lim, a passionate marathon runner and sports lover, passed away at the age of 45 on April 10, just three days after marrying his long-time partner, Sofie Chandra, while hospitalized.

Sofie shared the heartbreaking news through an Instagram post on the day of his passing. "Eug has passed on, a true legend, the love of my life. His light will keep shining on and on," she wrote.

For nearly two years, Eugene fought against Stage 4 urothelial carcinoma, a severe form of bladder cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2024.

Prior to his diagnosis, Eugene led an active lifestyle, engaging in Muay Thai, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, running, and playing rugby, as reported by Parkway Cancer Centre.

In 2020, he began noticing unusual urine color, particularly after exercise. Although medical checkups initially revealed no issues, the symptoms persisted and became more frequent from 2022. While these symptoms would subside after a day, further testing failed to identify their cause.

By June 2024, Eugene observed dark red urine, prompting tests that ultimately revealed a large tumor in his left kidney. A cancer diagnosis soon followed, with the disease having metastasized to his lungs, neck, and other areas of his body.

Despite the dire prognosis and undergoing chemotherapy, Eugene remained optimistic, embraced his "new normal," and advocated for early cancer detection.

On the day of his death, Sofie shared Eugene's obituary in another Instagram post, communicating his final wishes. "Please don't send us flowers as Eug always felt they left us too quickly," she requested, encouraging instead donations to 365 Cancer Prevention Society.

She also asked attendees to wear vibrant colors rather than black and white at his wake, held at Woodlands Memorial Hall. Social media posts from guests at the event indicated it was a joyful celebration of Eugene's life, complete with a live DJ.

Understanding Urothelial Carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma, the most prevalent form of bladder cancer, is often recognized by the presence of blood in the urine, according to SingHealth. Additional symptoms may include painful urination and pelvic pain.

This disease is more common among men and individuals over 60 years old. Risk factors for developing bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, chronic bladder issues, recurrent urinary tract infections, a family history of bladder cancer, and genetic conditions.

At Stage 4, cancer has spread beyond the bladder to distant organs, making it highly aggressive and challenging to treat. Early-stage bladder cancer (Stages 0 and 1) can frequently be successfully treated with minimal intervention, while Stages 2 and 3 pose greater treatment difficulties due to potential invasion of the bladder and surrounding tissues.

While there is no guaranteed method to prevent bladder cancer, individuals can lower their risk by avoiding smoking, consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and safely handling chemicals to minimize exposure.

Early detection significantly boosts the chances of curing bladder cancer, so anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.

bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com