及早发现结肠直肠癌 别轻视排便变化 (Early detection of colorectal cancer)

​A/Prof Tan Ker Kan and Asst Prof Chong Choon Seng from NCIS Division of Surgical Oncology (Colorectal Surgery) gave clinical comments on public awareness and common misconceptions on colorectal cancer. They shared that some patients were unaware that they had cancer as they only experienced mild or no symptoms in the early stages. The article was part of a campaign initiative from a group of students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

第四期癌症病患新希望 立体定向体部放疗 (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy - a new hope for stage 4 cancer patients)

​ZB carried a commentary by Dr David Chia, NCIS Department of Radiation Oncology, mentioning a new form of treatment that can specifically tackle metastatic tumours. The new method, called "Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy" (SBRT) or "Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy" (SABR), uses radiation technology that can target cancer tumours up to millimeter accuracy, at high doses between one to five times. At present, some of the top hospitals in the world have started to list it as the standard treatment for advanced cancer patients. Doctors hope that when combined with effective systemic therapies, it will be able to help cancer gradually become a more controllable chronic disease.

Radio interviews on cancer treatments despite Covid-19

​A/Prof Lee Soo Chin gave expert advice to assure cancer patients that it is safe for them to continue to seek treatment in hospitals as precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure their safety. Patients can choose to reschedule non-urgent treatment for 2-3 months. A/Prof Lee also advised cancer patients to take more precaution than other individuals to avoid Covid-19 infections.

结直肠癌防患于未然 (Taking precautions against colorectal cancer)

​Contributed article by Assistant Professor Tan Ker Kan, Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, to raise awareness on colorectal cancer prevention and the importance of colorectal cancer screening.   

术前复健增加年长病人的身体“储蓄”（Prehabilitation to improve elderly patients fitness and frailty scoring before surgery）

​A/Prof Alfred Kow (Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery) contributed a piece on the importance of prehabilitation, and how it can improve the fitness and frailty scoring of elderly patients before surgery.

Men can protect themselves against penile, anal cancers with HPV vaccination

​Dr Ida Ismail-Pratt (Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, NUH and NCIS) said that males should go for HPV vaccination because there is currently no effective screening for HPV-related cancers other than cervical cancers and that the vaccination is the only way to protect males from anal, penile and oropharyngeal cancers. She mentioned that there are two types of HPV vaccinations here licensed to be given to boys and men aged 9-26 years for future protection against anal cancer, premalignant anal lesions and genital warts. 

为癌症研究默默贡献 九临床研究协调员获奖 （9 Clinical Research Coordinators awarded the SCRI Distinguished Contributor Award for their contribution towards cancer research）

Article reported that Ms Pang Mei Yan, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, NCIS, was conferred the highest award, “The Distinction Award”. Ms Pang shared about the role clinical research coordinators play in supporting patient care and medical research.

Will drinking alcohol and eating tofu increase the risk of getting breast canccer?

​In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, medical experts weigh in on whether lifestyle habits have an impact on getting the disease. Dr Samuel Ow (Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS) shares that with every 10g increase in alcohol consumption per day, the risk of breast cancer is increased by 5 per cent in women who have not reached menopause, and by 9 per cent in those who are menopausal. 

More women going for first breast cancer screening: But only 1 in 5 go for their second check-up two years later, says Health Promotion Board

​Dr Chan Ching Wan, Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, NCIS and Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS were quoted. Dr Chan advised that regular screening is important for early detection and improved treatment outcomes. Dr Ow said that about 30% of breast cancer patients were diagnosed at late stage due to poor screening uptake. He also added that mammogram is by far the most reliable screening tool for breast cancer. For women aged 40 to 49, he recommended they discuss the option of going for an annual mammogram with their doctor.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 September 2019
  
• The New Paper, 27 September 2019
  
• Lianhe Wanbao, 26 September 2019
• Shin Min Daily, 26 September 2019
  
• Berita Harian, 27 September 2019
  
• Channel 8, Channel NewsAsia & Channel U, 26 September 2019
  

鼻咽癌患者亲属宜做筛检

最好发于南方华人地区的鼻咽癌，初期症状并不明显，因此往往到了第三、四期才获诊断。一名年轻患者受访讲述患病经历与治疗过程。国大医院和国大癌症中心医生进一步讲解这种癌症要如何及时诊治，以及一种新的免疫疗法临床实验。。

Pusat satelit NCIS mudahkan pesakit barah dapatkan rawatan (NCIS satellite center makes it easy for cancer patients to get treatment)

​A/Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head and Senior Consultant, Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS shared about the NCIS-on-the Go programme. She said that with this programme, low-risks patients who live near the two satellite clinics can save time and money on travel, and enjoy shorter waiting time for their treatment. The article also reported on the NCIS survey results. One of the patients, Mdm Maimunah who visits Jurong Medical Centre commented that it is more convenient for her to seek treatment now. She does not need to wait for her children to accompany her anymore and can travel to the clinic independently.

Community cancer treatment saves patients time and money

​A/Prof Lee Soo Chin, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS shared the benefits of NCIS-on-the-Go programme. She also commented that only suitable patients are offered the option to receive subsequent cancer care in the community. Two patients also highlighted their positive experiences in Keat Hong Family Medicine Clinic and Jurong Medical Centre where the two satellite treatment clinics are located. 

• Lianhe Zaobao, 13 August 2019, Page 3
• Lianhe Wanbao, 13 August 2019, Page 8
  
• Channel 8 TV News, 12 August 2019
• Channel 5 TV News, 12 August 2019
• Channel News Asia, 12 August 2019
  
• Suria Berita TV News, 12 August 2019
  
• Tamil Seithi TV News, 12 August 2019
• Capital 958FM, 12 August 2019
  

Test helps doctors decide on cancer treatment

​Dr Raghav Sundar, Consultant, NCIS was interviewed regarding the team’s new algorithm that analysed which stomach cancer patients would not benefit from immunotherapy. The team has discovered a negative biomarker, at the epigenetic level, which signals that immunotherapy would fail. This would save patients time and money and spare them from possible side effects of such treatment. 

年轻人患癌 遗传因素大 (High possibility of hereditary reasons for cancer in young people)

Article contribution by Dr Alfred Kow, Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, NUH; Senior Consultant, NUCOT and Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, NCIS.

He cites the case study of a 29-year-old patient whose father was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer when he was about 40 years old. Dr Kow explains that while most cancers are not related to genetics, those with a clear family history should take extra note.

Article contribution by Dr Alfred Kow, Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, NUH; Senior Consultant, NUCOT and Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, NCIS.

He cites the case study of a 29-year-old patient whose father was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer when he was about 40 years old. Dr Kow explains that while most cancers are not related to genetics, those with a clear family history should take extra note.

Singapore approves drug to treat late-stage breast cancer in patients with inherited genetic mutation

​Olaparib, a drug that has been used to treat ovarian cancer since 2014 was approved last month by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). This drug specifically targets cancer cells containing mutated BRCA1 and 2 genes. Associate Professor Lee Soo Chin, Head, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS mentioned that a genetic test is required to determine if the drug is suitable for a patient as it specifically targets mutant BRCA genes, which greatly increase a person’s risk of breast cancer. Led by A/Prof Lee, a recent study involving 460 breast cancer patients who underwent genetic testing found that the incidence of BRCA mutation varied among ethnic groups. A/Prof Lee added that women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer should consider genetic testing.
Ms Kwok Pui Yee, a patient at the NCIS, was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in November 2017 and her doctors recommended that she get tested for genetic risk factors as her mother had ovarian cancer and her aunt had breast cancer. As Ms Kwok tested positive for the BRCA mutation, she was later prescribed Olaparib which kept her cancer under control for 13 months with few side effects before becoming ineffective. Ms Kwok is now on immunotherapy. 

• Straits Times Online, 17 May 2019
• Lianhe Wanbao, 17 May 2019, Pg 8
• Shin Min Daily News, 17 May 2019, Pg 10
• Lianhe Zaobao, 18 May 2019, Pg 8
  
• Channel NewsAsia, Singapore Tonight, 17 May 2019
• Channel 5, News 5, 17 May 2019 (17:19 - 19:50)
• Channel 8/Channel U, News Tonight, 17 May 2019 (10:30 - 12:46)
• Vasantham, Tamil News, 17 May 2019 (17:23 - 18:31)