Singapore Cancer Society expands women’s health screening access at SCS Clinic @ Bishan

[Singapore, 17 September 2026] — Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Singapore, yet only around one in three eligible women goes for screening regularly (National Population Health Survey 2024). As the Chair of this year’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is encouraging early detection by making it easier for women to take that first critical step by expanding access to screening at the SCS Clinic @ Bishan, its community healthcare facility that offers breast and cervical cancer screening services. 

Earlier Access to Mammography  

The SCS Clinic @ Bishan has now expanded mammography access to women from age 40, lowering the eligibility age from 50. This enhancement aligns with updated breast cancer screening recommendations issued this year by the Screening Test Review Committee. To help reduce barriers to screening, SCS continues to provide mammography at no cost to eligible women holding CHAS Orange and Blue cards as part of its long-standing commitment to improve screening access to underserved groups.  

HPV Self-Sampling Expands Cervical Cancer Screening Options 

The Clinic is now also the first and only community clinic in Singapore to offer HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening. Available free to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents aged 30 and above regardless of CHAS status, HPV self-sampling gives women an additional screening option that can be performed independently.  

Together with physician-administered Pap and HPV tests – which are already offered at the clinic – HPV self-sampling expands the range of screening options available to women seeking to take charge of their cervical health.  

Said Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, chief executive officer of Singapore Cancer Society: “Conventional cervical screening methods (including Pap and HPV tests) typically involve a doctor performing a speculum examination to collect cells from the cervix, which can be uncomfortable or intimidating for some women. HPV self-sampling allows women to collect their own vaginal sample using a swab that is then tested for high-risk HPV strains. 

Having trialled self-sampling in the community with over 200 women since the start of 2026 and received positive feedback, SCS believes that this screening modality can greatly support women who feel anxious about conventional screening methods and prefer a more convenient option.” 

Mr Tan added: “Getting screened is the first critical step, and this October we want to remind everyone that early detection saves lives. By lowering the age for mammography and offering HPV self-sampling at our clinic, we hope more women will come forward and encourage the people around them to do the same.” 

Supporting Survivorship Beyond Screening & Diagnosis  

Under the theme “Courage Starts with a Check”, NBCAM 2026 is moving the conversation beyond awareness alone – encouraging earlier detection while showing what meaningful support can look like after a diagnosis and through survivorship. 

This reflects the priorities identified in SCS’s advocacy paper Closing the Cancer Care Gap: Seven Asks from Singapore’s Cancer Community, launched in June 2026. The paper called for cancer prevention to be strengthened through screening and education, for rehabilitation needs to be assessed as part of the cancer care journey, and for a stronger support system to be built for people affected by cancer.  

To this end, SCS has been piloting the SCS Wellness Studio @ Bishan since September. Located in the same building as the SCS Clinic @ Bishan, the Wellness Studio is a supervised space that helps survivors rebuild strength and confidence – either through a foundational programme using bodyweight to improve strength and mobility, or through an introductory “101 sports series”, such as Muay Thai, to support the transition to active living in the community. The Studio is currently offered on an internal referral basis and is not open for public registration.  

Together, the enhanced screening services at SCS Clinic @ Bishan and the SCS Wellness Studio pilot reflect SCS’s commitment to supporting individuals at every stage of the cancer journey, from prevention and early detection to recovery and survivorship. 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026   

As chair of this year’s national campaign, SCS is coordinating a unified effort across six national partners (Breast Cancer Foundation, Health Promotion Board, NHG Health, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, and SingHealth) with support from the World Gold Council. NBCAM 2026 will launch on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at the Outdoor Plaza, Level 1, VivoCity, and will be graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Jane Ittogi. The event will bring together survivors, healthcare experts, and partners through fireside chats, interactive activities, an on-site Community Mammobus, and a gift-with-screening initiative to encourage more women to screen.  

Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore. National Population Health Survey 2024.