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. 

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)
  

Trial treatment for stomach cancer extending lives

​Dr Yong Wei Peng, Senior Consultant, Division of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS and Professor Jimmy So, Head, Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery) NUH were interviewed on two stomach cancer trials. The first is an ongoing trial where the chemotherapy drug was injected directly into the abdominal cavity of patients with a particular type of stomach cancer. The second study, which is about precision medicine, found that oxaliplatin worked better in patients with the intestinal sub-type than the diffuse sub-type. A participant of the first trial, Mdm Cindy Chia also shared her experience.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 2 May 2019, Page 4

深入敌方阵营杀灭敌人 (Brachytherapy - Targeting the enemy from within)

​A contributed piece by Dr Vicky Koh, Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), on brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy, how it works and what types of cancer it can be used to treat.

Commentary: HPV, the silent virus behind cervical cancer

 A contributed piece by Dr Ida Ismail-Pratt, Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, NCIS, on cervical cancer being one of the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Singapore, MOH’s HPV vaccination programme, the HPV virus, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention and the importance of HPV education and awareness.

Cancer Survivorship Programmes brings cancer patients in remission back to the community for follow-ups

A news report on the Cancer Survivorship Programme at NCIS, which allows cancer patients who have been in remission for five years to do their follow-ups at affiliated family clinics or polyclinics.
 
Dr. Chan Ching Wan, Senior Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology (Breast Surgery), NCIS, is the programme lead for the Cancer Survivorship Programme (Breast Cancer). Due to the increase in the number of cancer patients yearly, the programme helps ease the load on the hospitals. Clinic doctors are also briefed on what situations they have to look out for.  
 
Mdm Lee, a patient of Dr. Chan, who is part of the Cancer Survivorship Programme, says that going to the polyclinic for follow-up reduces her burden.

Secondary 1 female students to get free opt-in HPV vaccination against cervical cancer

On the nation-wide school-based HPV vaccination programme announced by Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor during the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate speech yesterday, Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health shared two reasons for the low uptake of the vaccination – low public awareness of the vaccination as well as cost.  Prof Teo added that the vaccination is most effective when administered around 11-13 years old and by the vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of cancers and genital warts from happening.

Dr Joseph Ng, Senior Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, NCIS commented that the recommendation for the HPV vaccination is for females aged 9 – 26 years old. He emphasised that it is still important to go for regular screening even after taking the HPV vaccination. Dr Ng also mentioned that implementation of the measure of vaccination to prevent cervical cancer is an effective way to eradicate cervical cancer. 

Cancer is not a Curse

A contributed article by Dr Balamurugan A Vellayappan, Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, NCIS, about breast cancer, the risk factors of the disease as well as what can people do to prevent breast cancer. 

• Tabla!, 16 November 2018
  
• Tamil Murasu, 11 November 2018