By Singapore Cancer Society
Cancer
is the leading cause of death in Singapore, accounting for 29.6% of the total
number of deaths in 2016.*
Certain
cancers are preventable and many cancers are treatable and curable, especially
with effective treatment in the early stages. Screening helps to detect early
signs of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions before any symptoms appear. By the
time symptoms appear, the disease is often at an advanced stage.
Screening
is effective in the prevention and early detection of cancers such as breast
cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer. There is a wide range of
cancer screening services available. Singapore Cancer Society provides the
following screenings at our SCS Clinic @ Bishan, without charge, throughout the
year.
1. Mammogram
Breast
cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women in Singapore. The
mammogram is currently the most reliable screening tool for breast cancer. It
can detect the presence of cancerous lumps even before they can be felt with
the hand.
To
encourage women in Singapore to start screening and stay up to date with their
screening, Singapore Cancer Society runs a number of mammogram screening
programmes. For women who possess a CHAS cards, and are aged 50 to 69 years
old, SCS provides mammograms at no charge, to Singaporean women at the SCS
Clinic @ Bishan. For women aged 40 to 69 years old and do not meet the criteria
to screen at the SCS Clinic @ Bishan or under the SCS FIT 50 programme, they
may consider screening under the Community Mammobus Programme or with the SCS
$25 Funding Assistance. For more details, click here.
2. Pap test
Cervical
cancer is highly preventable and curable when detected and treated early
through regular screening. The Pap test is the best screening tool available
for the early detection of cervical cancer. An initial test should be performed
once a woman is sexually active. Subsequent Pap test screening should be done
at least once every 3 years thereafter. SCS has been providing Pap test at no
cost since 1969. Cervical cancer is currently the tenth most commonly occurring
cancer among women in Singapore.
3. Faecal Immunochemical Test
(FIT)
Colorectal
cancer is the leading cancer affecting both men and women in Singapore.
One
sign and symptom of the presence of polyps is blood in the stool, which is
often invisible to the naked eye. Other colorectal cancer indicators include,
change in bowel habits, abdominal pain or discomfort, anaemia and presence of a
lump in the abdomen.
Polyps,
benign lumps that may form on the inner wall of the colon and rectum, are
fairly common in people above the age of 50. These may develop into cancer and
should be removed if detected.
Colorectal
polyps and cancers can be detected by the traces of blood that are bled into
the colon. The amount of bleeding can be virtually invisible to the naked eye.
The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a preliminary test that detects the
presence of small amounts of blood in faeces.
This
test is available in a simple kit that can be carried out in the comfort of
your own home. SCS distributes FIT kits, without charge, to eligible
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. The test is safe, easy to do, and should
be done once a year.
Do you need help caring for an elderly at home? Download the
Carer app (now available on the Google
Play Store and Apple App Store) and use it to hire an experienced nurse or care aide, or call us
to find out more. You can also read more tips on the Carer app.
If you have specific topics you would like us to write about, please
email us at hello@carer.com.sg
* Principal
Causes of Death 2016, Ministry of Health
This
article is contributed by Singapore Cancer Society.
Singapore
Cancer Society Clinic @ Bishan is located @
9 Bishan Place Junction 8 Office Tower,
#06-05, Singapore 579837
Clinic operating hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 9.00am to 6.00pm (last
appointment at 5.15pm)
Saturdays, 9.00am to 4.00pm (last appointment at
3.15pm)
To make an appointment, please
contact us at 1800-727-3333