One in six deaths worldwide is due to cancer, while in Singapore, the figure is one in three deaths.
(freepik.com)
According to the Singapore Cancer Society, about 37 people are diagnosed with cancer every day. In 2015, cancer made up 29.7% of the total deaths in Singapore, the highest among all other causes of death, as stated in the 2016 report on Singapore figures compiled by the Department of Statistics Singapore.
The number of people diagnosed with cancer is on the rise and is expected to rise by about 70% in the next two decades, according to World Health Organisation.
Moreover, one in six deaths worldwide is due to cancer, while in Singapore, the figure is one in three deaths.
To raise awareness on cancer, February 4th has been declared World Cancer Day. With support from the Health Promotion Board, activities were organised last year by the Singapore Cancer Society, National Cancer Centre Singapore and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, to raise awareness and inform the public of actions that can be taken to prevent, treat and control cancer.
This year, Singapore commemorated World Cancer Day via Relay for Life, a night walk held by the Singapore Cancer Society to support the cancer community. The society hopes that the walk “gives everyone a chance to celebrate cancer survivors and carers; remember loved ones lost to cancer; and fight back by raising awareness and funds to support the work of the Singapore Cancer Society”.
Common Types of Cancer in Singapore
According to Singapore Cancer Society, the top ranked cancers for men were colorectal, lung and prostate while the top ranked cancers for women were breast, colorectal and lung (Refer to Table 1).
So is having cancer the ‘end of the world’? Of course not, if the cancer is detected early and treated.
Table 1: Information from Singapore Cancer Society
* Other urinary refers to renal pelvis, ureter, urethra, etc.
# Singapore Cancer Registry, Interim Annual Registry Report, Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore, 2010-2014
Singapore Cancer Society
Support Available
The government has been encouraging locals to attend regular cancer screening so as to detect any early signs and go for treatment before the cancer reaches the advanced stage.
If a person is diagnosed with cancer, various kinds of support are available to both the patient and the family.
The Singapore Cancer Society website has many resources and information available for a cancer patient and the family, including information on applying for financial assistance to cope with the medical expenses.
There are also different support groups in Singapore for cancer patients and survivors. The groups are set up to cater to different cancers, so as to deal with specific problems that patients and their families may face.
Patients can meet individuals who may have similar experiences as themselves in the support groups, allowing them to understand and learn from others to cope with the cancer better.
Some of the support groups include, but are not limited to, the Singapore Cancer Society Multi-Service Centre and Children’s Cancer Foundation – KKH Family Support Centre. More information on the support groups can be found on Healthhub and the Singapore Cancer Society websites.
Reading Survivors’ Stories
The Singapore Cancer Society has also set aside a webpage solely for cancer survivors to share their stories to give hope to the cancer community. (fotolia)
Other than providing information on support groups, the Singapore Cancer Society has also set aside a webpage solely for cancer survivors to share their stories to give hope to the cancer community.
One of the survivors is a young lady named Jennifer, who is 29 years old. She wrote about how she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer and how she conquered chemotherapy. She advised everyone to visit the hospital for an examination if they are experiencing “abnormalities or symptoms”, and have “an annual health check-up” because “prevention is better than cure”.
Another survivor shared how joining a support group helped him. Mike is a Singapore permanent resident who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had his prostate removed and also went for salvage radiotherapy and hormone treatment, which took a toll on him physically and psychologically.
Mike later joined the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) Walnut Warriors support group, a group created for prostate cancer patients and survivors. He benefitted from learning how others manage to cope with the cancer and stay positive. He also joined the SCS Rehabilitation Centre opened by the society and enrolled in the “Next Step” programme for survivors, enabling him to become healthier.
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