Plans for prevention of prostate cancer

19 Jul 2005

Question No:  101  

Question

Name of the Person: Dr Lily Neo, MP for Jalan Besar GRC

To ask the Minister for Health, in view of the fact that prostate cancer is on the increase and 50% of deaths are due to late diagnosis, what is his Ministry's plan to prevent deaths due to prostate cancer?

Reply

Reply From MOH

Prostate cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer among Singapore men. Its incidence rate has increased from 4 per 100,000 population per year during 1968- 1972 to the current incidence rate of 17. One key reason is that Singapore men are now living longer. Nevertheless, our rate is low compared to the other developed countries. 

In 2003, prostate cancer accounted for less than 1% (0.8%) of all male deaths in Singapore. 94% of these deaths were in men above the age of 65. 

The treatment for prostate cancer has improved significantly over the years. A local study has shown that the 5-year relative survival from prostate cancer has improved from 39% in 1968- 1972 to 57% in 1988 to 1992 period. 

Although it has been suggested that Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer can result in early diagnosis of the cancer, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that population-wide PSA screening can reduce prostate cancer mortality.