FACTORS LEADING TO DECLINE IN CANCER MORTALITY SINCE 2012 DESPITE RISING DIAGNOSES

NOTICE PAPER NO. 487
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 24 FEBRUARY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 1402
To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding the 21% decline in cancer mortality since 2012 despite rising diagnoses (a) what specific policy decisions or healthcare investments does the Ministry assess as most responsible for this improvement; and (b) how has the Ministry ensured these benefits reached lower-income and less health-literate Singaporeans equally.

Answer

1        Mr Speaker, advances in healthcare have led to earlier cancer detection and better treatment. These have lowered cancer mortality, and has benefitted all cancer patients, especially in systems like Singapore where there is universal access to healthcare.

2        That said, more work needs to be done especially in cancer prevention, to modify risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption, encourage vaccinations that reduce the risk of specific cancers, and detect the onset of cancer early through screening.