Just last month, prostrate cancer was discovered in a 2,200-year-old Egyptian mummy of a man who died in his forties. And this is by no means the oldest known case of prostrate
cancer. The oldest was found in a 2700 year-old skeleton of a king in Russia
This suggests that contrary to what many think, cancer is
not just the unfortunate result of pollution and unhealthy diets of the modern
day. Genetics could be a major factor in
the cause of cancer. If it wasn’t the problem with polluted environments and
unhealthy lifestyles, why then does it seem that more cancers and death-related
cancers, along with other strange diseases that were never known to exist, keep
making headlines in recent years?
The idea that these diseases came into existence recently could
be flawed. Rather, they had impacted the human population all this while, but
were only discovered when medical science became more advance. After all,
humans passed on at much earlier ages than most of the current generation of
humans do, and there had been mentions of ‘mysterious illnesses’ that could
well be cancer or some of the illnesses that even we find baffling in our time.
But that is not to say that you should start panicking about
your health immediately if you know of a relative with cancer, or throw aside
your healthy lifestyle since it’s no guarantee of a cancer-free life. The
possibility of cancer has become more unfathomable; even perfectly healthy
youths in their teens have contracted cancer. The only sure-proof way of
keeping cancer at bay is to go for regular health screenings. Treatment for
cancer that has been discovered early is often more successful and less
complicated compared to advanced-stage cancer. A healthy lifestyle is still
absolutely necessary for your well-being. Furthermore, certain poor habits do
contribute to cancer risk factors. Smoking, for example, is a main risk factor
that may lead to lung cancer.
As stated, the probability of cancer could be
genetics-related. As such, some cancers are more prominent among certain
communities, ethnic and age groups. The Singapore Health Promotion Board has a
handy chart showing the most common cancers in Singapore
The Singapore Cancer Society also offers free Pap smear and Faecal Occult
Blood Test kit to screen for cervical and colorectal cancer respectively.
Those in need of further financial assistance or wish to inquire more about medical subsidies can speak to the medical social workers at the polyclinics.
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Where to go for
screening?
Many polyclinics and private clinics offer health screening
services. You can visit your nearest doctor to get more information.
For those who worry about the costs, vital health screening
tests for common cancers in Singapore
have actually been subsidised and made more affordable for Singaporeans with
financial problems.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB)’s national health screening programmes offer subsidised screening:
The Health Promotion Board (HPB)’s national health screening programmes offer subsidised screening:
Integrated Screening
Programme (ISP):
Aimed at encouraging Singaporeans aged 40 years and older to
be screened for diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity
and cervical cancer at a Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)–
registered General Practicitioner (GP) clinic.
The blood test to screen for diabetes & lipid disorders
(cholesterol) is $8 while Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer (for female
patients) costs $15. Costs exclude GST and consultation fees.
Cervical Screen
Singapore (CSS):
Aimed at encouraging all women aged 25 years and above who have ever had sex or are sexually active to go for Pap smear once every three years. Pap smear is offered at subsidised rates of $15 at Polyclinics for Singaporeans and $22.50 for Permanent Residents (PRs).
Aimed at encouraging all women aged 25 years and above who have ever had sex or are sexually active to go for Pap smear once every three years. Pap smear is offered at subsidised rates of $15 at Polyclinics for Singaporeans and $22.50 for Permanent Residents (PRs).
BreastScreen Singapore
(BSS):
Aimed at encouraging women aged 50 years and older to go for
screening mammograms once every 2 years. The test is offered at a
subsidised rate of $50 at polyclinics for Singaporean citizens and $75 for
permanent residents (PRs) at the polyclinics.
You may use your Medisave account or the account of an
immediate family member (excluding siblings) for your screening mammogram at
all Medisave approved screening centres. All BSS screening centres are
approved centres for use of Medisave.
Those in need of further financial assistance or wish to inquire more about medical subsidies can speak to the medical social workers at the polyclinics.
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