Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean women in the last 50 years and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2019, breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed in females, and the leading cause of cancer death in women in Singapore.

Every October marks the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), a national campaign to raise awareness for this cause. This October, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre echoes the unified national message on breast health with a tongue in cheek reminder, "Donut forget to keep them in check". While this is a light-hearted way to remind the women we love to keep up-to-date with their breast health, we are serious about highlighting an important issue that impacts our community – the significance of regular mammogram screenings for early detection of breast cancer, which can save lives.

The SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre’s multidisciplinary team of breast surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, breast care nurses and allied health professionals from Changi General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, and National Cancer Centre Singapore, is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness, our patients and survivors, and strives to stay ahead of the curve in medical, surgical and technological advancement, research and education for breast cancer care.

SingHealth and our partners on the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022 Organising Committee has planned a great line-up of public events this October. Check them out below, register and save the dates!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022 Organising Committee

Breast Cancer Foundation, Health Promotion Board, National Cancer Institute Singapore, Singapore Cancer Society, SingHealth and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Calendar of Events

Date/Time	Event
1 – 31 Oct 10am – 9pm	BrART Exhibition Visit the BrArt Exhibition to view bralettes designed by members of the public, together with the stories and inspirations behind the designs. Venue: ION Orchard, B4 Organiser: Breast Cancer Foundation	Click here for details.
Multiple dates in October 6.30pm – 7.30pm	Fit & Fab Virtual Exercise Classes A great way to wind down and have some ‘me’ time after a busy day! Refer to website link for the classes’ dates and timings. Platform: Zoom Organiser: National University Cancer Institute, Singapore	Click here for details.
1 Oct, Saturday 9am – 12pm	Public Forum (English): Eating The Best for Your Breast! Learn about breast health, and how good nutrition is important for your breast. Venue: Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Level 4 Auditorium, 18 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308443 Organiser: Tan Tock Seng Hospital	Sign up here.
1 Oct, Saturday 2pm (English)	Webinar (English): Breast Cancer Learn about the importance of regular screening, early signs and symptoms, and how you can fight breast cancer. Platform: Zoom Organisers: People’s Association and Changi General Hospital	Sign up here.
Multiple dates in October	Healing Art: Learn a Craft, Celebrate Living We bring to our breast cancer patients and survivors six craft workshops (1.5 hours per session) across all SingHealth’s breast centres to empower them to learn new skills, while reinforcing positive messages of ongoing survivorship and breast health. Click the registration link for the dates and venues. Workshops (open to breast cancer patients and survivors). 1. Brush Pen Calligraphy 2. Watercolour Greeting Cards 3. Leather Making (Slots Full!) 4. Terrarium Making 5. Gel Candle Making (Slots Full!) 6. Design & Personalise Unique Tags & Cards	Sign up here.
5 Oct, Wednesday 7.30pm – 8.30pm	Webinar (Malay): Religious Misconceptions when Faced with an Illness like Breast Cancer Platform: Facebook Live @BreastCancerFoundationSG	Join the Facebook Live @BreastCancerFoundationSG
5 Oct, Wednesday 8pm	Instagram Live session at Motherswork (English) Join us in an Instagram Live session with the mothers in our community where we’ll be discussing breast wellness, along with reaffirmation on how breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer. Platform: Intagram Live @motherswork Organisers: Singapore General Hospital and Motherswork	Join the Instagram Live @motherswork
8 Oct, Saturday 2pm (Malay)	Webinar (Malay): Breast Cancer Learn about the importance of regular screening, early signs and symptoms, and how you can fight breast cancer. Platform: Zoom Organisers: People’s Association and Changi General Hospital	Sign up here.
15 Oct, Saturday 10.30am -12pm (English) 2.30pm – 4pm (Mandarin)	Webinar (English & Mandarin): Mammograms are Lifesavers Join our experts at this English and Mandarin sessions to learn more about breast health, the importance of regular screening, early signs and symptoms, and how you can fight breast cancer. Platforms: Zoom Organisers: National BCAM 2022 Committee	English: Sign up here. Mandarin: Sign up here.
16 Oct, Monday 3pm – 4pm	Public Forum (Tamil): Make Time for Breast Health Learn about the importance of breast health, regular screening, and early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. This in-person public forum will be conducted in Tamil. Venue: Assyafaah Mosque, 1 Admiralty Lane, Singapore 757620	Click here for more details.
17 Oct, Monday 7.30pm – 8.30pm	Save your Breast \| Save your Life Fireside Chat (Mandarin) Platform: Facebook Live @BreastCancerFoundationSG	Join the Facebook Live @BreastCancerFoundationSG
18 Oct, Tuesday 7pm-8pm	Webinar (English): Breast Health and Breast Cancer: What You Should Know Join us at this English public webinar to learn more breast cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatments and prevention. Organiser: National Library Board and SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	Sign up here.
22 Oct, Saturday 10.30am – 11.30am	Webinar (Malay): Mammograms Are Lifesavers! Join our experts at this Malay session to learn more about the importance of regular screening, early signs and symptoms, and how you can fight breast cancer. Platform: Zoom Organisers: National Cancer Institute Singapore, National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore Cancer Society	Sign up here.
22 Oct, Saturday 9am – 11am	Living with BRCA A face-to-face event for our patients with BRCA and their families. Our ladies will share their personal experiences and receive the latest updates on issues relating to BRCA. Open to patients with BRCA and their families. Venue: Crane @ Robertson Quay, 46 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239351 Organiser: National Cancer Centre Singapore	Click here for details.
29 Oct, Saturday 9am - 11am	Webinar (English): Donut Forget to Keep Them in Check This interactive two-hour English public webinar comprises of bite-sized talks about the fundamentals and latest advancements in breast cancer management, as well as live question and answer sessions with our panelists. Platforms: Zoom and Facebook Live Organiser: SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	Sign up here or join the Facebook Live @SengkangGeneralHospital
30 Oct, Sunday	Pink Ribbon Walk 30 Oct: Fun Challenge 30 Oct – 15 Nov: Virtual Walk Organiser: Breast Cancer Foundation	Click here for details.

Breast Screening Programmes in Singapore

Screen For Life

Regular mammogram screening is the best defense against breast cancer, as detecting breast cancer early can lead to increased chances of survival. The HPB recommends women aged 50 years and above to go for mammogram screening once every two years¹.

Through the national Breast Cancer Screening Programme under HPB’s Screen for Life, women aged 50 years and above can enjoy subsidised mammogram screenings at participating breast screening centres. Before subsidies, a typical mammogram would cost $138 (before GST). To be eligible for the subsidies, women should be Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, asymptomatic and have not had a mammogram in the last two years.

To register for a mammogram screening by BreastScreen Singapore, please click here. For more information on breast cancer screening programmes and subsidy eligibility, please click here.

SCS $25 Funding Assistance for Mammogram Screening

From 1st October till 30th November 2022, women who are eligible can receive a funding assistance of $25 from SCS for their mammogram screening. Women who have their mammograms done at HPB’s Screen for Life breast screening centres (Polyclinic) will expect to pay $25 (for Singapore Citizens) and $50 (for Permanent Residents), after prevailing government subsidies and SCS’ funding assistance. For mammogram screenings done at participating private breast screening centres, SCS will further defray the screening cost by $25.

To qualify for funding assistance, appointments must be made at participating breast screening centres by 15th November 2022, and the mammogram screening must be done by 30th November 2022. Funding assistance eligibility and a full listing of the clinics can be found here.

Limited-Edition BCAM Bracelets

By National Cancer Centre Singapore

Join us in the fight against breast cancer! Donate a minimum of $28 (250% tax deductible) and redeem this specially designed limited-edition bracelet as a token of our appreciation. Redeem yours while stocks last!

Meticulously painted by a breast cancer survivor and handmade by a group of volunteers, the colours on the bracelet’s face symbolise a new lease on life, with renewed strength and hope for the future. Together with a pink ribbon charm, the bracelet honours the strong women who refuse to let their diagnoses define them.

Your donation goes towards the Oncology Academic Clinical Program (ONCO ACP) for the advancement of breast cancer research and education to allow clinicians and scientists to innovate and improve breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, detection and prevention. 30% of funds raised will cover operational expenses.

Donate Now and empower women to lead a life not limited by cancer!

Learn more about the campaign and redemption instructions here.

Here is how you can get yours while stocks last!

Make a minimum donation of $28* at our GivingSG page. (Eligible for 250% tax deduction) *You can only redeem one bracelet per donation while stocks last.
Check the box "share my mailing address with the charity" and key in your mailing address to facilitate local delivery.
Your bracelet will be mailed to you. Please allow around 2-4 weeks for delivery.

Please note that the charity will not be able to contact anonymous donors regarding the mailing of the bracelet. For more information, contact us at donate@nccs.com.sg

Pedal for Pink

By Sengkang General Hospital

In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a group of breast surgeons, oncologists, breast nurses and breast cancer patients and survivors from Sengkang General Hospital will pedal for pink in a 1-hour spin event at R10T.

To show your support for our team, we hope you can make a donation that will go towards public education, patient care and research on breast cancer.

Eligible donations in 2022 will enjoy 250% tax deduction as our donations are managed by SingHealth Fund, an Institution of Public Character (UEN 201624016E). Show your support here!

On behalf of all of the patients we care for at Sengkang General Hospital, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and support towards the cause!

¹Women aged between 40 and 49 years can screen for breast cancer, but they should talk to their doctor about the benefits and limitations of mammograms screening before doing so, to help them make an informed choice.