FOR the first time in her 22-year career, Zoe Tay is going bald on screen.

In Ge Ai, The Queen of Caldecott plays a breast cancer victim who loses her hair after chemotherapy.

But instead of balking, Zoe is looking forward to the drastic image change, which will be achieved with the help of special make-up.

(But we couldn't wait of course, so we got our artist to give his impression of how she may look – see picture above.)

Zoe, 42, told The New Paper in a phone interview: "Anyone who has been through a struggle with breast cancer will look beautiful even if they are bald."

"I couldn't shave my head as I have another project immediately after this one. I'm not worried about my fans' reactions. They have always been very supportive of my work. I think they will like my new look."

Losing a head of lovely locks is one thing, as hair eventually grows back.

But what about losing a breast?

Although Zoe conceded that that was "a scary thought", she also added that advances in medical technology enable cancer survivors to reshape their bust should they want to.

Her advice to them is that they shouldn't let the change in their appearance depress them.

She recounted how she had met some survivors of the disease and couldn't tell that they had surgery to remove one breast.

Mantra

Her mantra? If you're a woman, you're always a woman.

These may be strong convictions from the veteran actress. But what if she were to get breast cancer?

Zoe admitted that above all, it would be a good test of her relationship with her husband.

"Something like that should bring two people closer together. A man who truly loves you should care more about you as a person, not your body."

The self-confessed "kiasi" (Hokkien for worrywart) mother-of-two has been going for regular mammograms since she was in her 20s.

Initially, she used to do it once a year. She has increased it to twice a year since she turned 40 as older women have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

"For women who have heard that mammograms can be painful, they should know that there really isn't much discomfort.

"For one thing, giving birth is so much more painful!" exclaimed Zoe who delivered her second child without an epidural.

This article was first published in The New Paper.