Free Health Screening at Singapore Cancer Society

Singapore Cancer Society Free Cancer Screening Services brochure

It’s has been said over and over again that prevention is better than cure. What better way to live by this than to have regular health checkups, especially if you have a current medical condition or family history of medical conditions (for breast and colorectal cancer), or has been sexually active (for the case of cervical cancer). Regular cancer screening is important because early detection saves lives.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer as well as common cause of death from cancer for women worldwide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_cancer). In Singapore, it is the 10^th most common female cancer and 190 cases are diagnosed every year (http://www.singhealth.com.sg/patientcare/ConditionsAndTreatments/Pages/Cervical-Cancer-Cervix-Cancer.aspx). That being said, it is highly recommended that women who have been sexually active go for screening. The frequency of testing depends on the result of the screening, as recommended by doctors.

I’ve gone through 6 Pap smears for the past 12 years (including this year’s screening) and have had normal results (thank God) so a 3-year interval was suggested. Of the 6 screenings I’ve undergone, the first 2 were paid for in full (one at a private clinic while the other at a polyclinic), the next 2 were subsidized (free testing, pay for consultation fees only, done at selected private clinics), and the last 2 were totally free of charge, done at Singapore Cancer Society.

I had very positive experiences from both screenings at the Singapore Cancer Society clinics (old Tanjong Pagar office and new Bishan office) with very accommodating receptionists and very professional doctors. The administration officer in Bishan has a very bubbly personality (and was still wearing a cheongsam top in celebration of the Chinese New Year) and greeted me with a smile. I wasn’t expecting a personalized “hi, Karen!” from her as I approached the counter. All my anxiety melted away. After the casual greetings, she asked for my IC and handed me a form to fill in (basic health questions, that’s all). I was called in to an office for verification of personal information, and several minutes after, was called to the doctor’s office for the procedure. The doctor did a breast exam first. She reminded me to do breast self-examination every month and to be aware of any changes.

The whole process took just a few minutes (results to be mailed in 3 weeks) and I was out of their office in no time but not before the doctor told me to spread the word and inform friends and family members to call their office for an appointment. She handed me brochures to give to friends but I thought it could benefit more people by sharing the brochure and my experience on my blog.

Here is the rest of the pages of the free health screening brochure from Singapore Cancer Society:

For more details about Pap Smear, visit http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/WhatWeDo/PapSmear.aspx

Providing free health screening increases the participation of more people, thus raising the probability of diagnosis, early detection and cure. So ladies in the house, pick up the phone, set up an appointment and go for your Pap smear. The same goes to those who are interested in going for breast and colorectal cancer screening.

For more information about Singapore Cancer Society:

Visit http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Address: 9 Bishan Place, Junction 8 Office Tower #06-05 Singapore 579837

Telephone Number: 6499-9133

How to get there:

• ·        By bus

·         at Bishan Bus Interchange – 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 410

·         in front of Bishan MRT Station – 13, 52, 54, 55, 58, 88, 128, 156

·         Along Bishan St 11 – 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 410

• ·         By train – Bishan MRT Station exit A

Free Cancer Screening provided:

·         Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for colorectal cancer

·         Pap smear for cervical cancer

·         Clinical breast examination for breast cancer