不痛不痒，还是别低估皮肤癌 (Skin cancer cannot be underestimated even if there is no pain or itch)

​Dr Sue Ann Ho Ju Ee, Consultant in Dermatology at NUH, contributed an article to share about skin cancer and highlighted that it is one of the ten most common cancers in Singapore. 

New hope for patients with lung cancer

​A study conducted by Roche which examined the combined treatment of immunotherapy and chemotherapy and the effectiveness of the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab for patients with advanced stage small cell lung cancer had shown to reduce the risk of death by 30 per cent. Dr Ross Soo, Senior Consultant at the NCIS Haematology-Oncology department, commented that the approval of atezolizumab provides a new immunotherapy treatment option for patients in Singapore. He shared that his team’s experience with the use of the drug and chemotherapy in patients has been positive and favourable.

Covid-19-induced blood clots: What to know if you have diabetes, hypertension or other health issues

​Dr Yap Eng Soo (Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology) explained that it is assumed that Covid-19 damages the lining of the blood vessels and also increases blood clotting protein levels, thus leading to the formation of blood clots. Even without Covid-19, the risk of blood clots is higher for those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. According to Dr Yap, these patients should comply with instructions on taking their medications, not just to reduce the risk of blood clots should they contract Covid-19, but also to prevent general complications from a worsening of their chronic conditions as a result of non-compliance to medication.

Dr Yap mentioned that patients hospitalised with Covid-19 who are assessed to be at high risk for developing blood clots (e.g. reduced mobility, active cancer) or Covid-19 patients who are severely ill and admitted to intensive care would be started on preventive blood thinners. However, Covid-19 patients with underlying diabetes and hypertension who are not hospitalised, such as those with mild symptoms at community care facilities, do not need to start blood thinning medications.

Hospitals may resume elective procedures in gradual manner

​In a report on elective procedures in hospitals being put on hold to free up capacity for Covid-19 patients, MOH said that they will continue to study the gradual resumption of services in a calibrated manner. Prof Chng Wee Joo, Director of NCIS, commented that non-essential appointments such a routine health screening have been postponed till between June and September, and NCIS patients on long term, remission or maintenance cancer treatments have had the frequency of their appointments reviewed, and home delivery and telemedicine arranged. The number of telemedicine cases had risen from an average of 13 cases (before the Covid-19 outbreak) to 67 cases in April, and NCIS currently makes about 300 medicine home delivery trips a month compared to only 12 trips during pre-Covid-19 times. 

Tapping AI to battle Covid-19

​The National University Hospital and Bot MD launched the NUHS-Bot MD A.I. clinical assistant app for frontline medical staff to instantly search hospital specific information including COVID-19 guidelines and operational directives. The Straits Times featured remarks from Dr Jen Wei Ying from the Department of Haematology-Oncology at NCIS who shared how it aids her in looking for Covid-19 clinical workflows, contact information and latest operational directives instantly. Bot MD is also working with the Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) to provide real-time visibility of the hospital’s ground operations.

借彼疫战此疫 经历沙斯之后 (After experiencing the SARS epidemic)

​Ms Noor Melati Binte Ahmad, Nurse Clinician at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, shared her experience when she was a young staff nurse at NUH when she was infected with the SARS virus during the SARS epidemic in 2003.  She shared that her mother’s exact words were if she survived SARS, she could survive in any similar situation and this has keep her positive with the COVID19 pandemic.

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