Increasing Take-up Rate for Breast Cancer Screening

105 Ms Hany Soh asked the Minister for Health (a) what has been the take-up rate for breast cancer screening in Singapore in the past two years; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider expanding the Health Promotion Board’s Screen for Life programme to enhance its access by easing the eligibility for free or subsidised breast cancer screening.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Based on the National Population Health Survey 2022, close to 40% of women in the 50 to 69 years age group went for breast cancer screening through a mammogram in the last two years.

Under the national subsidised screening programme, the number of breast cancer screenings from the first half of 2024 has increased by almost 50%, compared to two years ago. One key reason is because of Healthier SG, where eligible enrollees can go for free breast cancer screenings.