Download World Cancer Day 2016 in Singapore – We Can. I Can

Media Release
4 February 2016 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Cancer Day 2016 in Singapore – We Can. I Can
Raising cancer awareness and the importance of regular health screening
Singapore, 02 February 2016 – According to the World Health Organization 1, cancer is one
of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million
new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012.
This is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades to reach 22 million cases in
2020. In Singapore, more than 13,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2014 2 and 1 in
3 deaths are caused by cancer 3.
Coming as One to Fight Cancer
World Cancer Day is observed globally on 4 February every year to raise awareness about
cancer and to unite people around the world in the fight against the disease.
To mark this year’s World Cancer Day, the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), National Cancer
Centre Singapore (NCCS), and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), with
support from the Health Promotion Board (HPB), will join forces to organise the World
Cancer Day awareness event on Sunday, 20 February 2016, at the Toa Payoh HDB Hub, from
10am to 4pm
The inaugural collaboration between the organisations aims to raise the awareness of
cancer and highlight actions that can be taken to prevent, treat and control the different
types of the disease.
“By bringing everyone together, we hope that we can provide a more holistic approach
towards raising awareness about cancer and engaging the public to take proactive steps in
prevention, including making regular health screening a top priority. With the right
information and tools, Singaporeans will be better equipped and empowered to fight cancer
together,” said Dr Lim Siew Eng, Chairman of SCS Public Education Committee and Senior
Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS.
1
Cancer Fact sheet N°297, World Health Organization, Updated February 2015:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/
2
Singapore Cancer Registry, Interim Annual Report, Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore 2010-2014
3 Principal Causes of Death, Ministry of Health, Last updated on 22 July 2015:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/statistics/Health_Facts_Singapore/Principal_Causes_of_Death.html
Talks and Activities
The World Cancer Day awareness event will showcase an exhibition with interactive games
to educate Singaporeans on the different types of cancer and empower them with tips on
cancer prevention through talks on topics such as nutrition and lifestyle risk factors that will
be conducted by health professionals.
To raise awareness about women’s related cancers and encourage regular screening, a
session will be held for visitors who are keen to understand more about cervical cancer and
breast cancer screening. Early registration to attend the talks is encouraged.
Another highlight of this one-day event is a children’s art competition for those aged 8 to 12
years, where they may create paintings to express their hopes and wishes for other children
whose loved ones have been affected by cancer.
For event details, please refer to Annex A.
Screening Programmes for Singaporeans and PRs
In Singapore, there are population-based cancer screening programmes in place to screen
for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers to encourage Singaporeans and PRs to attend
regular screening. While the awareness for breast and cervical cancer has been high,
Singaporeans are not coming forward to be screened regularly.
In 2013, a consumer insights study 4 was conducted by HPB to better understand
Singaporeans’ attitudes and perceptions as well as motivation and barriers towards health
and screening. These qualitative findings indicate the misconceptions that people have
about screening:
•
•
•
•
Screening is often perceived as an activity that causes ‘unnecessary’ stress which
may negatively impact one’s health due to the anxiety associated with it.
Many people do not screen for cancer due to fear of pain or the outcome of the tests.
Some people believe that they are sufficiently ‘health conscious’ and should not
suffer from chronic illnesses or cancers because they engage in healthy behaviours
that would prevent such diseases.
People would ‘rather not know’ if they had a chronic condition or cancer and prefer
to live in their blissful bubbles of ignorance, avoiding the potentially life-changing
consequences of finding out that they have a condition.
Most screening tests are not painful, although some people may experience temporary and
minor discomfort while being screened. Going for regular health screening can help detect
early even if individuals are healthy and do not notice any signs and/or symptoms. Early
4
Health Promotion Board’s Consumer Insights Study 2013
detection, followed by treatment and good control of the condition, can result in better
health outcomes, and lower the risk of serious complications 5.
To encourage Singaporeans to go for regular cancer screening, visitors at the exhibition who
meet the screening criteria will be eligible to collect a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Kit,
sign up for a Pap smear and also book for a screening mammogram at no cost 6.
In addition, HPB’s Screen For Life provides a comprehensive and established suite of health
screening programmes that are available to Singaporeans at participating Community
Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)-GP clinics and polyclinics 7 islandwide.
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For more information, please contact:
Singapore Cancer Society
Belinda Choo
Tel: 6421-5853
Email: [email protected]
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Rachel Tan
Tel: 6236 9535
Email: [email protected]
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
5
Women aged 25 and above who have ever had sexual intercourse should attend cervical screening every
three years; women should also start screening for breast cancer every two years from age 50; and, men and
women should start screening for colorectal cancer through faecal immunochemical testing every year from
age 50
6
Screening criteria for fully paid-for cancer screening: Pap smear for women aged 25 and, FIT Kit for 50 years old and above,
screening mammogram for women with the Health Assist card above 50 years old. Applicable to Singaporeans and PRs only.
7
Screen for Life refers to HPB’s screening programmes for cardiovascular diseases and selected cancers. Visit a Screen for
Life GP for cardiovascular, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer screening, and the polyclinics for breast and cervical cancer
screening. For more information, please visit www.screenforlife.sg
Sharon Aw
Tel: 6772-3987
Email: [email protected]
About Singapore Cancer Society (www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg)
Established in 1964, Singapore Cancer Society is a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation which
provides patient care services to needy cancer patients through its welfare, hospice home care,
cancer treatment subsidy and rehabilitation support programmes. In addition, the Society also
provides free cancer screening services and promotes cancer awareness and prevention through its
public education and community outreach programmes.
About the National Cancer Centre Singapore
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to
cancer treatment and patient care. We treat almost 70 per cent of the public sector oncology cases,
and they are benefiting from the sub-specialisation of our clinical oncologists. NCCS is also
accredited by the US-based Joint Commission International for its quality patient care and safety.
To deliver among the best in cancer treatment and care, our clinicians work closely with our
scientists who conduct robust cutting-edge clinical and translational research programmes which
have been internationally recognised. NCCS strives to be a global leading cancer centre, and shares
its expertise and knowledge by offering training to local and overseas medical professionals.
www.nccs.com.sg
About the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS)
The National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), a national specialty centre, offers a broad
spectrum of cancer care and management covering both paediatric and adult cancers, with expertise
in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. The Institute adopts
a multi-disciplinary approach to develop a comprehensive and personalised plan for each cancer
patient and his or her family. NCIS draws on the expertise of its specialists in the fields of
haematology-oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecologic oncology, paediatric oncology, surgical
oncology, oncology nursing, oncology pharmacy, palliative care, pathology, radiology, medical
specialties including gastroenterology and hepatology, infectious diseases, pulmonary and critical
care, psychiatry, epidemiology and public health as well as other allied health sciences.
NCIS, which is part of the National University Health System (NUHS), is home to the Cancer
Therapeutics Research Group, one of the few academic early phase cancer clinical trial groups
spanning leading academic centers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, and Taiwan. Its
strength in research allows patients to access drugs and devices before they are commercially
available. NCIS is also closely affiliated with the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National
University of Singapore.
For more information about NCIS, visit www.ncis.com.sg
Annex A