Go for Colorectal Screening, say doctors

TheStar (03 MARCH 2004)


WIDESPREAD screening for colorectal cancer in the United State has helped control the rate of growth in cases there in recent years, and that is why doctors in Singapore are encouraging Singaporeans at risk to go for screening too.

This is especially important for rapidly greying Singapore, since the risk of colorectal cancer - the most common cancer in Singapore - is higher for older people, and more are getting the disease each year, said Associate Prof Adrian Leong, the National University Hospital's chief of surgery.

There is no national screening programme for the disease.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday to announce Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Prof Leong said that screening could help detect polyps, and remove them before they develop into cancer.

It could also help spot cancer in its early stage, when the survival rate after treatment is more than 90%.