Cancer

Moles are kind of like our old friends. After all, they tend to stick around longer than some people in our lives. 

Ranging in size, shape, and colour, most moles seem to be pretty harmless. Some find them a nuisance because they appear at undesirable spots, while others consider their moles to be a special thing that make them unique.

But what if that mole that you've dismissed is potentially a sign of skin cancer?

Here's what an experienced dermatologist, Dr Stephanie Ho, has to say about the questions that she always gets asked.

Meet Dr Wong Nan-Yaw, an experienced colorectal surgeon who has a deep passion in helping people through their cancer journeys. 

He dubs colorectal cancer as the emperor of diseases because it's a silent killer. He explains that the colon is a capacious organ, so it can accommodate a lot of 'things', even big 'things'. 

Watch the video to find out more about colon cancer, its symptoms, and how Dr Wong's training helps him to nurse his patients back to good health. 

In Singapore, colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Did you know that 3 in 100 Singaporeans will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime?

Unfortunately, many people harbour misconceptions about this dangerous disease. These misconceptions can keep people from accessing the preventive care and treatment they might need.

Join Dr Wong Nan Yaw, an experienced colorectal surgeon as he hosts a QnA where he answers all your questions on colon cancer. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean women. According a report from the Singapore Cancer Registry, breast cancer constituted 29.4% per cent of all cancers among women between 2008 and 2012. 

Research has uncovered many risk factors associated with breast cancer, helping doctors to provide a fairly good estimate of a woman's risk of breast cancer.

For example, a lady who is aged 40 years and above, with a first degree relative (i.e. sister, mother or maternal grandmother) who has breast cancer is at a high risk of getting breast cancer.

Early detection can save lives. Learn more from Dr Radhika, an experienced breast surgeon as she host a QnA session where she answers questions on breast cancer. 

Almost everyone has moles, and most of these moles are harmless. However, it's important to recognise changes in a mole, such as in its size, shape, or color. Some of these changes may be a sign of skin cancer. 

Dr Stephanie answered readers questions on: 

• Causes of skin cancer
• Types of skin cancer
• How to tell if moles are cancerous
• Treatment options for skin cancer in Singapore

Every day, 5 people in Singapore are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 2 die of it. Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagonsed cancers among male and females. It is also known as silent killer because it often has little or no symptoms. 

However, it is largely preventable with regular screening, and is curable with early detection. 

Dr Jason answered readers' questions on colonoscopies.

The negative stigma surrounding colonoscopies in Singapore is unwarranted. In this comprehensive guide, I hope to clear your doubts on its purpose, and explain the possible benefits a colonoscopy can provide you in your journey towards maintaining good health.

Which health screening tests do you really need? It's a common scenario in Singapore - your dad or mom receives a letter offering free "basic" health screening services, usually in the form of a tie-up with the company where he or she's working at.

So when my dad asked me last night:

What are the essential tests I should go for?

I had a glance through of what was on offer: 5 pages worth of optional add-ons to the free basic screen, ranging from cancer marker tests, to mind-boggling X-Rays and ultrasound scans. This post explains exactly what tests you need, and which you do not.