Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023

According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2021, 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 year, with the theme “Let’s Journey with Her”, we aim to share the importance of supporting our ladies through their breast cancer journey. Being a part of a network of supportive relationships can foster a sense of community necessary for successful coping with the disease and provide opportunities to learn from one another. This year, we hope to remind families, friends, and colleagues to encourage the women they love to go for regular mammogram screenings and motivate breast cancer patients through their cancer diagnosis and recovery.

Our multidisciplinary team of breast surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, breast care nurses and allied health professionals from Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s 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 2023 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 2023 Organising Committee

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

SingHealth Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 Organising Committee

SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre, Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and National Cancer Centre Singapore

Calendar of Events

Date/Time	Event	Register via the links below
30 Sep, Sat, 11.30am - 4.30pm	SingHealth BCAM 2023 Opening Ceremony & Public Forum Join us to welcome BCAM 2023 through this interactive knowledge-packed English public forum that comprises of bite-sized talks about breast health, screening, breast cancer management and rehabilitation. We'll also be debunking myths and hearing inspiring stories from a breast cancer survivor and support groups, and you can ask away at our live question and answer session with our panelists! Venue: National Cancer Centre Singapore, Lecture Theatre, Level 1 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore 168583 Organisers: SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre, Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, KKH Women's and Children's Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore	Thank you for the overwhelming support! Registration is now closed.
1 – 25 Oct, from 7pm	Bowyers Block Pink Light Up Venue: Singapore General Hospital, Bowyers Block & Museum Organisers: SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre and Singapore General Hospital	No registration is required.
1 Oct, Sun 12pm - 12.30pm	HealthierSg @ Pasir Ris-Punggol Community Talk Breast Cancer Awareness Talk Venue: Pasir Ris – Elias Community Club Invited speaker: Dr Christina Yang, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	No registration is required.
1 Oct, Sun 8.30am – 1pm	Breast Cancer Awareness Month Carnival This exciting carnival is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer and supporting those affected by it. Join us for live performances and interactive booths! Venue: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre 30A Yishun Central 1, Singapore 768796 Organiser: Yishun Health	Register here.
4 Oct, Wed 7.30pm – 8.30pm	Breast Wellness Talk An Instagram Live session with the mothers in our community discussing breast wellness, along with reaffirmation on how breastfeeding may lower the risk of breast cancer. Platform: Instagram Organiser: Motherswork Invited Guest: Dr. Julie Liana Hamzah, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	IG Live @motherswork
7 Oct, Sat 10am – 11am	[Webinar] CancerWise Workshop on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Platform: Zoom Organiser: National Cancer Centre Singapore	Register here.
7 Oct, Sat 11am – 1pm	Keeping Her in The Picture: Focusing on Breast and Cervical Cancers Join us to celebrate breast and colorectal cancer survivors! Venue: Jurong Medical Centre 60 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648346 Organiser: Jurong Medical Centre	Register here.
7 Oct, Sat 2pm – 5pm	Surviving Cancer, Overcoming Challenges – Breast & Colorectal Cancer Public Forum Learn about the early signs and symptoms, risk factors and ways to fight breast and colorectal cancers. Venue: Ng Teng Fong Centre of Healthcare Innovation (CHI), Level 4 Auditorium, 18 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308443 Organiser: Tan Tock Seng Hospital	Register here.
7 Oct, Sat 4.30pm -5.30pm	Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu Open House Learn about breast health, screening, and ways to fight breast cancer. Venue: 200 Bedok Reservoir Rd Singapore 47922 Organiser: Alkaff Kampung Melayu Mosque Invited Speakers: Dr Melissa Seet and Dr Mok Chi Wei, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	No registration is required.
10 Oct, Tues 12pm – 4pm	Raising Breast Cancer Awareness Learn about the breast health and early detection of breast cancer. Hear from a breast cancer survivor and visit our activity booths. Venue: Parkway College 80 Bendemeer Road #02-02, Singapore 339949 Organiser: Parkway College	Register here.
14 Oct, Sat English Session: 10am – 12.30pm Mandarin Session: 2pm – 3.30pm	[Webinar] 'Time to Look at Yours'' Breast Cancer Awareness Webinar Join our panel of medical professionals at this webinar to learn about early signs and symptoms of breast cancer, its screening modalities, treatment options, as well as rehabilitation care for patients in Singapore. Platform: Zoom Organisers: National BCAM 2023 partners	Register here for English Webinar. Register here for Chinese Webinar.
20 Oct, Fri 7.45pm – 9.15pm	Fit & Fab with NCIS Gear up in pink and join us at our free workout session to dance, stretch, kick and punch our way to a healthier lifestyle together! Venue: Atrium outside The Frontier CC 60 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648346 Organiser: National University Cancer Institute, Singapore	Register here.
21 Oct, Sat 11.30am – 5.30pm	Breast Cancer Awareness Talk (Malay) & Health Carnival Learn about the importance of regular screening, early signs and symptoms, and how you can fight breast cancer. Venue: Geylang Wisma Serai, Persada Budaya, Level 1, 1 Engku Aman Turn, Singapore 408528 Organisers: National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore Cancer Society	Register here.
22 Oct, Sun 10am – 12pm	SingHealth 'JumPink': A Mass Trampoline Dance Grab your bestie and gear up in pink to jump high for breast cancer patients! Get fit and have fun while you're at it! Venue: Urban Park, Guoco Tower, Office Lobby Level 1, 1 Wallich St, Singapore 07888 Organiser: SingHealth	Thank you for the overwhelming support! Registration is now closed.
22 Oct, Sat 9.30am – 12.30pm	Living with Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Come join us to learn more about HBOC syndrome and the latest research updates. Connect and share experiences with others living with HBOC. Open to persons living with HBOC and their loved ones. Venue: NCCS Lecture Theatre, 30 Hospital Boulevard Singapore 168583 Organiser: National Cancer Centre Singapore	Register here.
27 Oct, Fri 12.30pm - 1.30pm	[Webinar] National Library Board Breast Cancer Awareness (For adults and seniors) Learn about breast health, regular screening, signs and symptoms, and breast cancer management. Platform: Zoom Organiser: National Library Board Invited Speaker: Dr Christina Yang, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	Register here.
28 Oct, Sat 9am - 10am	Al Mawaddah Mosque Family Day Learn about breast health, screening, and ways to fight breast cancer. Venue: 151 Compassvale Bow · Singapore 544997 Organiser: Al Mawaddah Mosque Invited Speakers: Dr Melissa Seet and Dr Mok Chi Wei, SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre	No registration is required.
28 Oct, Sat 9am – 3pm	Breast Cancer Awareness Month Roadshow 2023 Chat with our nurse counsellors and have fun playing our interactive educational games while learning about the importance of regular screening, its early signs and symptoms, and how you can lower your risk of breast cancer. Venue: Kovan Event Hall (Outside Heartland Mall) Blk 204 Hougang St 21, Kovan City Organiser: National Cancer Centre Singapore	No registration is required.
29 Oct, Sun 8am – 12pm	Pink Ribbon Walk Venue: Marina Bay Sands Events Plaza Organiser: Breast Cancer Foundation	Register here.
29 Oct, Sun 6.45am to 11.15am	Breast Cancer Awareness Booth at Great Eastern Women's Run 2023 Participating in the Great Eastern Run? Don't forget to drop by our booth to learn about breast health, and ways to lower your risk of breast cancer. Venue: Singapore Sports Hub Organiser: Great Eastern	Check out details on the run here.

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 years.

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. A typical mammogram costs $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, click here.

SCS $25 Funding Assistance for Mammogram Screening

From 1 October till 30 November 2023, 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 offset the bill by $25.

To qualify for funding assistance, appointments must be made at participating breast screening centres by 15 November 2023, and the mammogram screening must be done by 30 November 2023. Funding assistance eligibility and a full listing of the clinics can be found here.