AGE-OF-DIAGNOSIS TRENDS FOR KEY CANCERS OVER PAST 10 YEARS AND REVIEWING SUBSIDISED SCREENING AGE THRESHOLDS FOR YOUNGER SINGAPOREANS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 786

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 5 MAY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

MP for Aljunied GRC  

Question No. 1400

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what is the trend in age-of-diagnosis for colorectal, breast, lung and stomach cancers among Singapore residents over the past 10 years; (b) whether the refresh by the Screening Test Review Committee 2026 explicitly reviewed these age-of-diagnosis trends; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider lowering subsidised screening age thresholds in light of rising incidence among Singaporeans below current threshold ages.  

Answer

1.       Between 2013 to 2023, the median age at which individuals were diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung and stomach cancer has increased for all four cancers (Table 1).

Table 1. Median age of diagnosis from 2013 – 2023 for breast, colorectal, lung and stomach cancers

Source: National Registry of Diseases Office

2.       The Screening Test Review Committee (STRC) in consultation with relevant clinical experts considers local epidemiological data, the available evidence for effectiveness of specific screening tests, and relevant international and local guidelines in developing its recommendations.

3.       The Ministry of Health’s screening policies take reference from these recommendations.