Ratio of cancer deaths to new cases of cancer in Singapore comparable to other countries

We refer to the report "More cancer patients dies, compared with US, South Korea: Paper" (Dec 9).

The data for Singapore cited in the study is based on projections, and does not accurately reflect the actual survival rates among cancer patients here. For example, the methodology projected over 13,000 deaths in Singapore due to cancer in 2022, when our local data recorded over 6,400 deaths.

Based on data collected by the Singapore Cancer Registry, the ratio of cancer deaths to new cases of cancer was about 33 deaths to 100 new cases in 2022. The ratio for the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan and Korea ranges from 37 to 41 deaths to 100 new cases. Australia and the US recorded the best ratios of about 25 deaths to 100 new cases.

Singapore can do better for cancer screening and early detection of cancer, which can improve treatment outcomes and survival. Under Healthier SG, clinically effective and cost-effective screening tests for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer are therefore provided free to those eligible. We hope more Singaporeans will take up these tests.

Appropriate treatment for cancer patients also improves survival and patient outcomes.

For most patients, standard cancer treatments are effective. For certain cancers and patients, small-panel next-generation sequencing (NGS) is routinely used by our public healthcare institutions for tumour profiling.

We can further expand the use of NGS provided it is clinically effective and cost-effective for specific cancers.

Commercial healthcare companies are pushing this, but, as a public authority, the Ministry of Health (MOH) needs to objectively evaluate if its use is in the broader public interest in ensuring affordability and good patient outcomes for the healthcare system.

MOH will continue to work with our clinicians to review the use of NGS.

Derrick Heng (Adjunct Professor)
Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health)
Ministry of Health