Personalised treatments designed to fight cancer while minimising side effects.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in Singapore and worldwide. It begins when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a lump or tumour. Although breast cancer mainly affects women, men can also develop the disease. The three main subtypes are hormone receptor positive (ER/PR-positive), HER2-positive, and triple negative breast cancers. Each type behaves differently and requires specific treatment approaches.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore. One in 12 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime (Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022).
In 2022 (GLOBOCAN), breast cancer made up 30% of all cancers in Singaporean women, with an age standardised rate of 62.33 per 100,000 women in 2023.
(1) It is also the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Between 2013 and 2023, Singapore’s age standardised mortality rate (ASMR) fell from 14.97 to 12.47 per 100,000, a 16.7% decline reflecting better access to treatments and interventions.
This is why early detection and timely treatment of breast cancer are crucial to improve survival and quality of life.
Some common signs to look out for include:
Early breast cancer may not show symptoms, which is why regular screening, such as mammograms, is important for early detection.
Regular screening is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment works best. In Singapore, breast cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, making awareness and timely screening especially important.
Diagnosis involves several steps:
A small invasive tumour with little or no lymph node involvement
Cancer that has spread (metastasised) to other organs, such as bone, liver, lung, or brain
Treatment depends on cancer stage, subtype, and patient profile. In Singapore, there are various treatment options available for breast cancer. The specific treatment plan will depend on multiple factors, such as the cancer stage, the tumour grade, the patient’s overall health, and other individual factors.
Our multidisciplinary team of oncologists in Singapore provides advanced care with a compassionate touch.
