World Cancer Day – What to Know About Cancer Screening and Treatment Options
Cancer screening helps detect cancer early—often before symptoms appear. Early detection allows doctors to start treatment sooner, which improves outcomes. Screening can also identify pre-cancerous conditions, allowing timely treatment to prevent cancer from developing.
Who Should Go for Screening?
People are encouraged to undergo screening for common cancers such as colorectal cancer.
Those with a cervix who are sexually active should go for cervical cancer screening, while individuals aged 40 and above should begin breast cancer screening.
From around age 30, individuals may also perform Breast Self-Examination (BSE) to notice any unusual changes.
Doctors may recommend additional screening based on personal risk factors. These may include:
Lung cancer (especially for former smokers)
Stomach cancer
Liver cancer
Prostate cancer
Principles for Cancer Screening
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that cancer screening programmes follow these key principles:
Screening should target important health conditions with serious consequences
Tests must be reliable and should not cause unnecessary harm
Effective treatment should be available for conditions detected early
Choosing the Right Screening Tests
Some screening tests—such as mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopies—are backed by strong scientific evidence.
However, not all tests provide clear benefits. Some may lead to unnecessary stress, false positives, or even physical harm.
Always consult a trusted doctor before proceeding with any screening test to ensure it suits your individual risk profile.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Doctors use two main methods to screen for colorectal cancer:
1. Stool Test
A stool test checks for hidden blood in your faeces. Blood may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, which can result from:
Polyps
Haemorrhoids
Ulcers
Inflammation
Colorectal cancer
If the test detects blood, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy. However, a negative result does not completely rule out cancer.
2. Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy allows doctors to examine the colon and rectum directly. This method is more sensitive and can detect abnormalities more accurately.
People aged 45 and above, or those with a family history, should consider regular screening.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Breast cancer screening typically involves:
1. Mammogram
A mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to detect early signs of breast cancer.
2. Ultrasound Scan
Doctors use ultrasound to examine breast lumps or abnormalities detected during physical checks or mammograms.
Screening Frequency
Ages 40–49: annually
Ages 50 and above: every two years
Early detection significantly improves treatment success rates.
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Cervical cancer screening includes:
1. Pap Smear Test
This test detects abnormal cervical cell changes before they become cancerous.
2. HPV Test
The HPV test identifies high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus that may lead to cervical cancer.
These tests are often performed together to improve detection accuracy. If results show abnormalities, a specialist will recommend appropriate follow-up care.
Final Takeaway
Cancer screening is a powerful preventive tool. By detecting disease early—or even before it develops—individuals can take proactive steps toward better health outcomes.
Speak with your doctor to determine which screening tests are appropriate for you based on your age, lifestyle, and risk factors. PRIME
Senior Consultant MBBS, MMED (Surgery) FRCSED, FAMS, MPH
Melissa Teo Surgery & The Surgical Oncology Clinic Adjunct Professor Duke-NUS Medical School Visiting Consultant National Cancer Centre Singapore
Clinical Professor Melissa Teo graduated from the National University of Singapore and completed her general surgical training in the Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore. She was awarded the Singhealth Human Manpower Development Plan Award to pursue further training in complex abdominal and pelvic surgery. With a keen interest in treating and curing cancers, she completed two fellowships in surgical oncology and in colorectal surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada in 2009. Dr. Teo remains one of few accredited surgical oncologists in the country and region and is frequently consulted for her expertise in the management of gastrointestinal cancers, sarcomas and melanomas.
Interested in health policies, she also obtained a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, USA. She held many leadership positions whilst at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, including being the Head of the Division of Surgical Oncology. She also co-chaired the gastrointestinal oncology and was a member of the sarcoma, melanoma and cancer genetics Cancer Service Line development in SingHealth, prior to leaving the public service. Dr. Teo has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications, 6 book chapters and won numerous teaching awards.
Dr. Teo is skilled in the management of stomach and colorectal cancers, sarcoma, melanoma and peritoneal disease. She is the first President of the Asian Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Group with her vast experience in Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS and HIPEC) for the treatment of peritoneal disease.
Dr. Teo's personal belief is that the management of cancer needs to be holistic, from early accurate detection and diagnosis to excellent surgical standards and multidisciplinary care and most importantly to being committed to caring for her patients and their families.
Senior Consultant MBBS(London), MMED (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)
Melissa Teo Surgery & The Surgical Oncology Clinic Visiting Consultant National Cancer Centre Singapore
Dr. Grace Tan graduated from Guy's King's and St Thomas's College of Medicine in London, UK. She returned to complete her general surgery and surgical oncology training at Singapore General Hospital and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). She then went on to complete her subspecialty training in Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) at the NHS Peritoneal Malignancy Unit in Basingstoke, UK, and Pelvic Oncology Surgery in King Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The Basingstoke Peritoneal Malignancy Unit is a world-renowned institution for the treatment of peritoneal-based malignancies and has completed over 1200 CRS and HIPEC procedures. The King Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok is one of the largest tertiary referral hospitals in Thailand and with internationally recognised expertise in the management of advanced pelvic cancers.
Dr. Tan is currently serving as an executive committee member for the Asian Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Group and as a member of the Gastrointestinal and Sarcoma Clinical Trial Steering Committee. She is also an examiner for both the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and NUS’ School of Medicine, and continues to be a speaker in the foundation course in clinical oncology at NCCS.
Dr. Tan has co-authored over 70 research papers that were published in journals such as Journal of Surgical Research and International Journal of Clinical Oncology, and is a reviewer for The Surgeon and the International Journal of Hyperthermia.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Dr. Tan was awarded the RISE awards for outstanding faculty in 2014, the 2017 Editor's Award for significant contribution by an investigator in the "Clinical" category, by the International Journal of Hyperthermia, and in 2019, she was awarded the Singapore Health Quality Service Gold Award.
Dr. Tan is experienced in the treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Peritoneal and Pelvic malignancy, Melanoma and Sarcomas, and is passionate in providing the best holistic care for patients with cancer.
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