Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020

In Singapore, breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women. It is also the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Between 2013 and 2017, nearly six breast cancer cases were diagnosed each day¹. One in 13 Singaporean women will develop breast cancer before the age of 75¹. Although the disease tends to affect women who are older, one in six are younger than 45 years old¹

BCAM 2020: United Virtually

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the National BCAM Organising Committee, comprising the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), Health Promotion Board (HPB), National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) and Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), will hold activities that observe social distancing with a series of online events to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Themed “It’s Time for Breast Health”, the national BCAM 2020 campaign led by NCCS aims to encourage women to play an active role in their breast health by regularly exercising, going for mammogram screenings and doing breast self-examinations at home.

Key messages: Examine, Educate, Exercise  

i. Examine

Women are encouraged to perform breast self-examinations monthly during the pandemic and seek medical attention when they experience any changes in their breast. They should not delay a visit to the doctor out of fears about COVID-19 because early diagnosis and treatment of breast lumps/cancer can save lives. The national mammogram screening programme has resumed and precautions are in place to ensure the safety of patients during breast checks and cancer treatment.

ii. Educate

In October, women are encouraged to arm themselves and their loved ones with the knowledge to fight breast cancer by registering for one of the four free virtual public forums to learn about the trends of breast cancer, risk factors, signs and symptoms, screening and diagnosis, so that they are more aware of breast cancer and can make informed choices. See BCAM 2020 Activities below.

iii. Exercise

Studies have shown that 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week can reduce the risks of breast cancer incidence by 9%². More people have gotten into the habit of exercising during the Circuit Breaker period, and women are encouraged to continue exercising from the comforts of their home or within their neighbourhood with safe distancing. 

In October, members of the public can join a series of online fitness classes for free. See BCAM 2020 Activities below.

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 years³.

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, please click here.

SCS $25 Funding Assistance for Mammogram Screening

From 1st October till 31st December 2020, 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 30th November 2020, and the mammogram screening must be done by 31st December 2020. Funding assistance eligibility and a full listing of the clinics can be found at http://bit.ly/scsbcam2020

BCAM 2020 Activities

1. Make a minimum $20 donation towards Breast Cancer Research and Patient Care on our giving.sg page at http://bit.ly/prmasks20  

2. Check the box “share my mailing address with the charity” and key in your mailing address.

3. Your mask will be delivered to you


¹ Singapore Cancer Registry 50th Anniversary Monograph (1968 – 2017)

² Pizot C, Boniol M, Mullie P et al. Physical activity, hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur J Cancer 2016; 52:18-54.

³ Women 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.