Guardant Health receives regulatory approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority for Guardant360® CDx blood test for patients with advanced solid cancers

​Guardant360 CDx, a liquid biopsy test for tumour mutation profiling that is also known as comprehensive genomic profiling, has been approved for patients with advanced solid cancers. Guardant Health AMEA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardant Health, is currently collaborating with National University Cancer Institute, Singapore and National Cancer Centre Singapore on several clinical trials using the Guardant360 test in efforts to accelerate clinical trial enrolment by identifying genomic biomarkers in patients with cancer.

• Red Hot Singapore, 30 May 2023, Guardant Health secures approval for liquid biopsy test in Singapore
  
• ValueBuddies, 30 May 2023, Guardant Health receives regulatory approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority for Guardant360® CDx blood test for patients with advanced solid cancers
  
• The Wellness Insider, 30 May 2023, Guardant Health receives regulatory approval from Singapore's Health Sciences Authority for Guardant360® CDx blood test for patients with advanced solid cancers
  

புற்றுநோய் சிகிச்சைக்கான புதிய தெரிவு (A new type of cancer treatment)

​National University Cancer Institute, Singapore will be conducting a trial on a new type of CAR-T cell therapy. Dr Raghav Sundar, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, explained how the trial will begin in two phases, starting with the recruitment of healthy blood donors. Patients will be closely monitored by the clinical trial team of more than 20 doctors and staff.

Satellite clinics to administer drug to prevent fractures caused by cancer

​Since March, the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore on the Go programme has been offering short infusions of the drug called zoledronic acid at its community treatment clinic located at Jurong Medical Centre, after getting approval from the Health Ministry. National Cancer Institute, Singapore plans to expand the service in 2023 to its two other community clinics – Keat Hong Family Medicine Clinic in Choa Chu Kang and Frontier Family Medicine Clinic in Clementi. It also hopes to launch another community treatment clinic in Serangoon in 2024.

Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Singapore, explained how moving simple cancer treatments to the community benefits patients by allowing them to save on travelling time, waiting time as well as travelling costs. Two cancer patients from the programme shared about their experience at these community clinics.  

• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 May 2023, Page 4, 乳癌病患可到社区治疗诊所打"补骨"针 (Breast cancer patients can get bone-protecting infusion at community clinics)
  
• Shin Min Daily News, 27 May 2023, Page 7, 3社区治疗诊所 为癌患提供便利 (Three community clinics to provide convenience for cancer patients)
  
• Berita Harian, 27 May 2023, Page 4, Dua lagi klinik masyarakat tawar khidmat rawatan barah (Two more community clinics offer cancer treatment services)
  
• Tamil Murasu, 27 May 2023, Page 2, புற்றுநோயாளிகளுக்கு விரிவாக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ள சேவை (Satellite clinics to administer drug to prevent fractures caused by cancer)
  
• 8world, 26 May 2023, 国大癌症中心社区治疗诊所 扩大癌症护理省时省钱 (NCIS's community treatment clinics expand cancer care, saving patients time and money)
  
• Red Hot Singapore, 27 May 2023, NCIS plans to bring cancer treatments closer to patients with more services and satellite clinics
  

NCIS on the Go expands services at community treatment clinics

“You Need To Stop Breastfeeding Now” — How Breast Cancer Made This New Mum Rethink Life

​Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, said at least 30 per cent to 40 per cent of early breast cancer cases face a high risk of recurring.

I worried if I'd ever be normal again: Breast cancer survivor

​Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute,  Singapore said at least 30 per cent to 40 per cent of early breast cancer cases face a high risk of recurring.

• The New Paper, 22 May 2023, ‘I worried if I would be normal again’: Breast cancer at 25 made new mother rethink life
  

• AsiaOne, 22 May 2023, I worried if I would be normal again, says woman diagnosed with breast cancer at 25
  

健康娜件事: 国大癌症中心老年肿瘤黄金计划 (Anna Health: NCIS Geri-Onco GOLDEN programme)

​In a live interview, three core members of the National University Cancer Institute Singapore GOLDEN programme – Adjunct A/Prof Francis Ho, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Insitute Singapore; Senior Dietitian Wong Wei Yee, National University Hospital; and Principal Physiotherapist Loy Yijun, National University Hospital – shared about how the programme helps senior patients aged 65 and above prepare and undergo cancer treatments after putting them through comprehensive geriatric assessments. Dietary and exercise tips were also given by the National University Hospital allied health professionals. 

• Hao 96.3FM (Morning and Facebook Live, 17 May 2023

On The Pulse: Women’s cancers

​An innovative magnetic therapy that can help with breast cancer treatment is being trialled at National University Cancer Institute Singapore. A/Prof Alfredo Franco-Obregon from the National University of Singapore Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech) explained how it works to kill breast cancer cells by exposing them to a pulsed magnetic field. Dr Joline Lim, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, who leads the trial at National University Cancer Institute Singapore, said the trial is to determine the safety of the therapy for patients and then its efficacy alongside chemotherapy.

958新闻聊开来： “国大癌症中心老年肿瘤黄金计划”知多少 (News discussion: How much do you know about the NCIS Geri-Onco GOLDEN programme?)

​Since August 2019, the National University Cancer Institute Singapore Geri-Onco GOLDEN programme has helped over 1,400 elderly cancer patients. A study showed that 61 per cent of patients had a change in their cancer treatment plans after being put through the comprehensive assessments.

In this live interview, Adjunct Associate Professor Francis Ho, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, and Dr Matthew Chen, Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, spoke about the concerns of senior patients following a cancer diagnosis, from their fitness levels to financial worries. A/Prof Ho said Singapore's ageing population and questions raised by patients and their caregivers prompted the set-up of the National University Cancer Institute Singapore GOLDEN programme.

Why are we so afraid of health check-ups? Doctor debunks possible concerns for S’porean mums

​Dr Lim Li Min, a consultant at National University Hospital and National University Cancer Institute Singapore, as well as a member of the Women's Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Committee in the Singapore Cancer Society, emphasised the importance of early detection of potential illnesses. She acknowledged that fear was a natural response, but the benefits of detecting potential illnesses early was worth it.

Dr Lim also encouraged women to take advantage of National Women's Check-Up Week to book a free screening at the SCS Clinic or their go-to clinic, which includes an overall health assessment to detect potential health issues and provide guidance on staying healthy.

个人化照料包括调节饮食理疗和辅导 国大医院黄金计划逾千年长癌患受益 (Personalised treatment includes dietary recommendations and counselling, NUH’s GOLDEN programme has benefited over 1,000 senior cancer patients)

​Since August 2019, the National University Cancer Institute Singapore Geri-Onco GOLDEN programme has helped over 1,400 elderly cancer patients. A study showed that 61 per cent of patients had a change in their cancer treatment plans after being put through the comprehensive assessments and 73 per cent said they had benefited from the programme.

Core members of the team running the GOLDEN programme were quoted on its significance for patients. Reports featured Adjunct Associate Professor Francis Ho, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore; Dr Matthew Chen, Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital; and Dr Nydia Camelia Mohd Rais, Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

This multidisciplinary model of care will be shared with healthcare professionals at the 3rd Singapore Geriatric Cancer Symposium 2023 on 12 May 2023. The public can sign up for a free symposium on 13 May 2023.

The front page of Shin Min Daily News also featured a group photo of 98-year-old Madam Tan Yong Yuat, her son and members of the GOLDEN programme medical team.

• Zaobao Online, 6 May 2023, 个人化照料包括调节饮食理疗和辅导 国大医院黄金计划逾千年长癌患受益 (Personalised treatments include dietary recommendations and counselling, NUH's GOLDEN programme has benefited over 1,000 senior cancer patients)
  
• Shin Min Daily News, 5 May 2023, Page 1 and 6, 97岁癌末嬷 两动手术康复 (97-year-old grandma with advanced cancer recovers after two operations)
  
• Channel 8 (1pm, 6.30pm, 10pm), 5 May 2023, NCIS and hospitals launch programme to help elderly cancer patients improve quality of life
  
• Capital 95.8FM (Afternoon, Evening) 5 May 2023, NCIS and hospitals launch programme to help elderly cancer patients improve quality of life
  
• Sinchew Online, 5 May 2023, 97岁癌末嬷 两动手术康复 (97-year-old grandma with advanced cancer recovers after two operations)
  
• Shicheng News, 6 May 2023, 97岁患直肠癌末期 不放弃治疗 两次手术后康复 (97-year-old grandma with advanced cancer does not give up, recovers after two operations)
  
• Nanyang Online, 5 May 2023, 97岁癌末老妇 2次动手术康复 (97-year-old grandma with advanced cancer recovers after two operations)
  
• Oriental Daily Online, 5 May 2023, 九旬阿嬷大肠癌晚期　不放弃求医动手术康复 (Grandma in her 90s with advanced colorectal cancer doesn't give up, recovers after surgery)
  
• Seehua News Online, 5 May 2023, 华裔九旬阿嬷大肠癌晚期　不放弃求医动手术康复(Grandma in her 90s with advanced colorectal cancer doesn't give up, recovers after surgery)
  
• Guang Ming Daily Online, 5 May 2023, 患直腸癌末期不放棄 97歲嬤動2次手術康復 (97-year-old grandma with advanced cancer doesn't give up, recovers after two operations)
  
• Lumi News, 6 May 2023, 九旬阿嬷大肠癌晚期 不放弃求医动手术康复 (Grandma in her 90s with advanced colorectal cancer doesn't give up, recovers after surgery)
  

国大癌症中心与医院推计划 助老年癌患者改善生活素质 (NCIS and hospitals roll out programme for senior cancer patients to improve quality of life)

​The National University Cancer Institute Singapore Geri-Onco GOLDEN programme, conceived through the collaborative efforts of National University Cancer Institute Singapore and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, aims to improve patients’ quality of life, such as 98-year-old Tan Yong Yuat who has advanced colorectal cancer and received support from National University Hospital’s dietitian and physiotherapist. Adjunct A/Prof Francis Ho, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, talked about the significance of the programme. A free public symposium will be held on 13 May 2023.

New Programme Integrating Cancer And Geriatric Care Puts Spotlight On Patients In Their Golden Years

学业和家庭生意两头烧 女生凭顽强意志考上大学 (Juggling academic pursuits and family business, young woman persisted with her strong will and successfully gains admission to university)

​While working part-time at the pharmacy of National University Cancer Institute Singapore in 2019, C Nishaa was moved by the tenacity shown by patients and decided to enrol in the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences at Republic Polytechnic. She is continuing her studies at Nanyang Technological University and hopes to improve lives through science.

More taking DNA tests to predict health risks

​The use of consumer genetic tests to predict health conditions has grown in popularity. Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, warned that the results of direct-to-consumer testing can work against consumers. She said these tests include a very wide range of genes and some of the findings are more accurate than others.  

• The Straits Times Online, 30 April 2023, More taking DNA tests to predict diseases; KKH sees fivefold increase in demand