Cancer is rising among younger adults. This is why screening matters more than ever.
Cancer is no longer just a disease associated with older age.
The Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2023, published in January 2026 by the National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO), indicates a significant rise in cancer diagnoses among people under 40 in Singapore. Nearly 5,000 individuals in this age group were diagnosed between 2019 and 2023, representing a 34% increase in cancer diagnoses compared to the period from 2003 to 2007. Unfortunately, many cancers in younger people are diagnosed at later stages due to delays in diagnosis and treatment, resulting in cancer treatment that is more complex and with poorer outcomes.
Age alone is no longer a reliable safeguard, which is why proactive, and personalized cancer screening is important for looking after one’s long-term health. While screening will save lives, screening will also provide patients with choices, time and improved treatment outcomes due to earlier detection.
On World Cancer Day, the message is clear: every cancer journey is different, yet together we can bridge the care gap with education and proactive action.
Why Screening Fits into Person-Centered Cancer Care
Most people see their physicians when they feel ill. However, screening for cancer is about protecting one's health before illness develops.
During a health screening or well-check, your physician is looking for early signs of disease, including cancers that may otherwise go undetected. When cancer is identified at an early stage, the benefits include less aggressive treatment, more treatment options, increased chances of recovery, and a better quality of life post-treatment.
The United By Unique campaign encourages healthcare systems to move beyond the diagnosis and focus on the individual's needs. Screening is a part of this model of care because it empowers patients to become active participants in their own health care journey.
Why Screening Should Be Tailored to Each Patient
Everyone does not have the same level of cancer risk. Cancer screening recommendations are based upon a variety of individual characteristics such as:
Age and sex
Family history of cancer
Smoking and/or alcohol use
Obesity and/or sedentary lifestyle
Exposure to certain occupational or environmental hazards
Certain infectious agents (HPV and hepatitis B/C)
Your physician will assist you in determining what screening tests would be beneficial to you, thereby ensuring that all screening tests are evidence-based and appropriate for you.
Cancer Stages
Cancer staging refers to the extent of the disease. One of the most widely used staging systems is the TNM System, which assesses:
T (Tumor): The size and spread of the original tumor
N (Nodes): Whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
M (Metastasis): Whether the cancer has metastasized (spread) to distant parts of the body
Generally speaking, the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. For example, early-stage cancers can sometimes be removed entirely by surgery before the cancer spreads. Once the cancer has metastasized, treatment is typically much more complicated, and survival rates decrease. That is why screening is intended to identify cancer prior to its progression to advanced stages.
What are common cancer risk factors?
While anyone can develop cancer, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely to do so. These include:
Increasing age
A family history of cancer
Smoking, which is responsible for a majority of lung and several other cancers
Alcohol consumption, which has been associated with liver, breast and colorectal cancer
Obesity, which has been linked to breast, pancreatic, liver and kidney cancer
UV radiation from sun or tanning beds, which raises the risk of skin cancer
Viral infections such as HPV and hepatitis viruses, which raise the risk of cervical and liver cancer respectively.
Global public health initiatives also place an emphasis on the importance of vaccination against HPV and hepatitis virus.
What Types Of Cancer Screening Tests Exist?
Screening tests may include physical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies.
Physical Examinations
Physicians look for signs of potential problems, such as:
Unusual lumps
Enlarged lymph nodes
Skin changes
Organ enlargement
Abnormal bleeding
However, many early cancers do not produce observable signs and symptoms, therefore further evaluation may be necessary.
Laboratory Tests
Some examples of common laboratory-based screening tests include:
Liquid Biopsy
Blood tests, such as Lucence INSIGHT, detect genetic material from cancer cells circulating in the blood, providing a method for screening across multiple cancer types.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Abnormal blood cell counts can be indicative of cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA, used selectivity for men at a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Pap Smear & HPV Testing, which screens for cervical cancer or abnormal cell changes caused by an HPV infection.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which detects hidden blood in the stool, assisting in screening for colorectal cancer.
Imaging Studies
Examples of imaging studies and procedures include:
Mammograms. These are breast X-rays used to screen for breast cancer.
Chest CT Scans. These are recommended for those at a high risk of developing lung cancer, such as long-term smokers.
Colonoscopies. These examine the colon and remove polyps before they grow into cancer.
Interpreting Your Screening Results
Screening test results generally require a short period of time to receive.
Negative results indicate that no cancer was detected, although regular repeated screenings may still be recommended.
Positive results indicate potential anomalies requiring additional diagnostic testing to establish a confirmed cancer diagnosis. False positives can occur, and therefore physician guidance is essential.
Taking the Next Step
If you would like to take proactive steps and manage your individual risk for developing cancer, it may be helpful to consult with your doctor. They can assess your overall health status and recommend what testing options might be most beneficial for you based on your individual circumstances.
Personalized health screening packages can also be designed to include those specific tests that are relevant to your situation. Ultimately, preventing cancer and screening for cancer begins with acknowledging that each of our health journeys is unique; we are all stronger together when we work together to address our health needs.