狮城有约: 基因检测 (Hello Singapore: Genetic testing)

​Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National Cancer Institute Singapore provided insights into genetic testing and how clinical grade genetic tests differ from the direct-to-consumer ones that are gaining popularity. Dr Ow noted that direct-to-consumer tests may not be comprehensive or accurate as they are not clinically validated, and individuals should consult a qualified medical professional for advice on their risk factors and health decisions.

受疫情影响 本地骨髓捐赠者人数猛跌逾九成 (Number of local bone marrow donors fell by more than 90% due to the pandemic)

​A/Prof Koh Liang Piu, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, discussed the challenges faced by blood cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. National University Cancer Institute Singapore has adopted teleconsultation for cases where patients and doctors are not able to meet in person, and provided telecommunication services to assist warded patients to communicate with their families.   

患罕见癌 他积极面对只因欠老婆一个蜜月 (He bravely takes on rare cancer because he owes his wife a honeymoon)

​Shin Min Daily News quoted Dr Jen Wei Ying, Associate Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS), who explained that myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a condition where the bone marrow in the body produces abnormal blood cells. A bone marrow transplant is currently the only curative treatment option for MDS.

• China Press, 10 December 2021

Health Matters - Geriatric Oncology

​Dr Matthew Chen, Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, and Dr Angela Pang, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS), discussed the unique challenges faced by older adults with cancer. They also talked about how the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment tool and the telehealth service offered by the NCIS Geriatric Oncology Clinic can help optimise the care that senior cancer patients receive.

Health Matters - AI Chatbot For Genetic Counselling

​Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National Univeristy Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS), discussed how Angie, the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot service developed by NCIS, can help women at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome learn more about the condition and how genetic testing can help, before they attend their first genetic counselling session at the NCIS Cancer Genetic Clinic.

Soul of Business: Optimising care for older adults with cancer

​Dr Angela Pang, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore and Dr Nydia Camelia, Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, discussed the unique challenges faced by seniors living with cancer.

Atlas of gastric cancer cells maps path to better treatment

​Singapore scientists have created an intricate atlas of gastric cancer cells to offer more insight into how they can spread within the body. Dr Raghav Sundar, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, said that the map goes into granular detail on how specific molecular pathways can drive cancer growth, while also providing insight on how the disease can be better treated. The research was led by Duke-NUS Medical School and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's Genome Institute of Singapore, and involved collaborators from National University Health System among other institutions. From 2018 to last year, tumour samples were taken from 31 patients, who were being treated at National University Hospital at various stages of their disease.

• Asia Newsday, 16 November 2021, Stomach cancer 'atlas' could map paths to better treatment options

NCIS creates WhatsApp chatbot for women at risk of breast cancer

​National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS) has developed Angie, a WhatsApp chatbot service to help women who are suspected of having a genetic predisposition to or are at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) to better understand and manage their condition. Women can use the chatbot to learn about HBOC and how genetic testing can help, before they attend their first genetic counselling session at the NCIS Cancer Genetic Clinic.

Singapore assembles world’s largest and highest-resolution atlas of gastric cancer

​Scientists from National University Health System, Duke-NUS Medical School and ASTAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore have assembled the world’s largest and highest-resolution atlas of gastric cancer. The atlas provides, at the level of single cells, new insights into how gastric cancers progress and how tumours from separate patients differ from one another. The findings also identified molecular pathways driving gastric cancer growth and spread to other organs, and also how the disease can be better treated.

• Medical Xpress, 2 November 2021
• Asia Research News, 2 November 2021

Meet Angie, the WhatsApp chatbot for women at risk of hereditary breast cancer

​Developed by National University Cancer Institute Singapore, the Angie chatbot aims to help answer questions about cancer genetic testing, screening and risk-reducing strategies. It is part of the National University Cancer Institute Singapore ENGAGE (ExpandiNG Access to Genetic counsElling) project. Women who are suspected of having a genetic predisposition to or are at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) can use the chatbot to learn about the syndrome and how genetic testing can help, before they attend their first genetic counselling at the National University Cancer Institute Singapore Cancer Genetics Clinic.

Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, said genetic testing is increasingly recognised as an important consideration in the management of breast cancer patients and family members who are suspected to have HBOC. However, there is still a significant lack of awareness and misconceptions among the public which needs to be addressed by genetic counselling. He noted the chatbot allows oncologists to reach out to patients early, and provide targeted education so that they come for their consultation better informed and ready to decide on the next step.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 28 October 2021, Page 12, 国大癌症中心与初创公司合作 推出聊天机器人解答遗传性乳癌等问题 (NCIS partners startup to launch chatbot that answers questions on hereditary breast cancer)

Adagene collaborates for ADG106 clinical trial combining with Nivolumab for Singapore cancer patients

​National University Cancer Institute Singapore, National Cancer Centre Singapore, the Singapore Translational Cancer Consortium and Adagene have initiated a phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate a novel drug combination in advanced small cell lung cancer patients who have progressed on prior therapies. The trial will be led by Prof Goh Boon Cher, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology and Deputy Director (Research) at National University Cancer Institute Singapore, and A/Prof Daniel Tan of National Cancer Centre Singapore.

新加坡推出聊天机器人-解答遗传性乳癌等问题 (Singapore launches chatbot that answers questions on hereditary breast cancer)

​Women who are suspected of having a genetic predisposition to or are at high risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) can use Angie, a chatbot developed by National University Cancer Institute Singapore, to learn about the syndrome and how genetic testing can help, before they attend their first genetic counselling at the National University Cancer Institute Singapore Cancer Genetics Clinic.

Meet Angie, the NCIS Engage Bot that Empowers Women at Risk of Hereditary Breast Cancer

Health Matters – NCIS Pink Plank Challenge

​Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, explained the benefits of regular exercise which can help reduce one's risk of cancer. Members of the public can still join the final week of the NCIS Pink Plank Challenge by posting a 20-second video of themselves planking with a buddy on social media to help spread the word about breast cancer awareness.

Singapore-developed chatbot to provide genetic counselling

​National University Cancer Institute Singapore has launched an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, developed with local startup Bot MD, that makes it easier for patients at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) to learn about the condition and the role of genetic testing before their first genetic counselling session at the clinic. Dr Samuel Ow, Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, said that while genetic testing is an important consideration in the management of breast cancer patients, there remains a lack of awareness and misconceptions around genetic testing which need to be addressed through counselling. The chatbot will enable National University Cancer Institute Singapore to reach out to patients early and provide targeted education so that they come for their consultation better informed and ready to decide on the next step.