2014年2月6日星期四

Free cancer screenings for those aged 50

Free cancer screenings for those aged 50



The project, called FIT50, marks the society's 50th anniversary, along with a month-long showcase at Lavender MRT station to promote early detection.(Photo: Lianhe Zaobao)

THOSE who turn 50 this year can get free screenings for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer from next month, as part of a year-long project by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS).

The project, called FIT50, marks the society's 50th anniversary, along with a month-long showcase at Lavender MRT station to promote early detection.

SCS chairman Choo Eng Chuan said the aim was to push for greater awareness. "Once you hit 50, (screenings) should be on your mind," he said.

Mrs Wendy Yeap, a counsellor who turns 50 this year, said she goes for yearly Pap smears and mammogram screenings. She might now consider getting a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit, used to detect colorectal cancer.

Free Pap-smear tests and mammograms can be done at participating SingHealth Polyclinics, National Healthcare Group polyclinics, the radiologic clinic at the Health Promotion Board and the SCS' clinic. FIT kits can also be collected at the SCS clinic and some Guardian outlets.

SCS will also be pumping $10 million into its hospice-care service, with the aim of tripling its capacity within the next three to five years. It hopes to eventually serve up to 1,000 patients a year.

~News courtesy of Omy~