Screening Rate for Breast Cancer and Rate of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Across Housing Types and Household Income Deciles in Past Three Years

Debated in Parliament on 5 Oct 2020.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the past three years, the screening rate for breast cancer in Singapore increased from 30.9% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2019, with improvements observed across all socio-economic groups when using educational levels as a proxy.
Screening rates vary significantly by education, reaching around 50% for women with tertiary education but only 28% for those with primary education, indicating disparities linked to socio-economic status.
The rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis (Stages III and IV) has remained relatively consistent, at 28.6% from 2009–2013 and 26.9% from 2014–2018.
The government continues to encourage regular screening and address misconceptions—such as the belief that screening is unnecessary when feeling healthy or that mammograms are painful—through awareness campaigns and outreach activities.
Data comparisons across housing types and household income deciles were not provided in the response, as educational levels were used as a proxy instead.

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Full Transcript

Tan Wu Meng

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health over the past three years (a) what has been (i) the screening rate for breast cancer and (ii) the rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis; and (b) how do these rates compare across (i) housing types and (ii) household income deciles.

Gan Kim Yong

The screening rate for breast cancer is 38.7% in 2019, up from 30.9% in 2017. This improvement is seen for all socio-economic groups when we take educational levels as a proxy (as household income will vary across time). However, while the breast cancer screening rate is around 50% for women with tertiary level of education, it is 28% for women with primary level of education. The rate of late stage breast cancer diagnosis at Stages III and IV amongst Singapore women has remained relatively consistent at 28.6% between the five-year interval of 2009 to 2013 and 26.9% between 2014 to 2018.

We will continue to encourage women to go for regular screening. Misconceptions and fears are common barriers – some examples include thinking that screening isn’t necessary when one feels healthy, that 'it's better not to know', and that mammograms are painful. To counter these misconceptions, HPB and its partners will continue to conduct annual breast cancer awareness campaigns and on-the-ground activities, as well as reach out to women via social media.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the past three years, the screening rate for breast cancer in Singapore increased from 30.9% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2019, with improvements observed across all socio-economic groups when using educational levels as a proxy.
Screening rates vary significantly by education, reaching around 50% for women with tertiary education but only 28% for those with primary education, indicating disparities linked to socio-economic status.
The rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis (Stages III and IV) has remained relatively consistent, at 28.6% from 2009–2013 and 26.9% from 2014–2018.
The government continues to encourage regular screening and address misconceptions—such as the belief that screening is unnecessary when feeling healthy or that mammograms are painful—through awareness campaigns and outreach activities.
Data comparisons across housing types and household income deciles were not provided in the response, as educational levels were used as a proxy instead.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Screening Rate for Breast Cancer and Rate of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Across Housing Types and Household Income Deciles in Past Three Years | PAPERCUTS

Screening Rate for Breast Cancer and Rate of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Across Housing Types and Household Income Deciles in Past Three Years

Debated in Parliament on 5 Oct 2020.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the past three years, the screening rate for breast cancer in Singapore increased from 30.9% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2019, with improvements observed across all socio-economic groups when using educational levels as a proxy.
Screening rates vary significantly by education, reaching around 50% for women with tertiary education but only 28% for those with primary education, indicating disparities linked to socio-economic status.
The rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis (Stages III and IV) has remained relatively consistent, at 28.6% from 2009–2013 and 26.9% from 2014–2018.
The government continues to encourage regular screening and address misconceptions—such as the belief that screening is unnecessary when feeling healthy or that mammograms are painful—through awareness campaigns and outreach activities.
Data comparisons across housing types and household income deciles were not provided in the response, as educational levels were used as a proxy instead.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Tan Wu Meng

Gan Kim Yong

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Over the past three years, the screening rate for breast cancer in Singapore increased from 30.9% in 2017 to 38.7% in 2019, with improvements observed across all socio-economic groups when using educational levels as a proxy.
Screening rates vary significantly by education, reaching around 50% for women with tertiary education but only 28% for those with primary education, indicating disparities linked to socio-economic status.
The rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis (Stages III and IV) has remained relatively consistent, at 28.6% from 2009–2013 and 26.9% from 2014–2018.
The government continues to encourage regular screening and address misconceptions—such as the belief that screening is unnecessary when feeling healthy or that mammograms are painful—through awareness campaigns and outreach activities.
Data comparisons across housing types and household income deciles were not provided in the response, as educational levels were used as a proxy instead.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Screening Rate for Breast Cancer and Rate of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Across Housing Types and Household Income Deciles in Past Three Years

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Tan Wu Meng

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified

Screening Rate for Breast Cancer and Rate of Late-stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Across Housing Types and Household Income Deciles in Past Three Years

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Tan Wu Meng

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified