Public Discourse on Medical Issues

LETTERS TO STRAITS TIMES FORUM

Published

23 June 2018

Title: Benefits of Mammogram Screening Outweigh Its Disadvantages

We refer to Ms Lilian Thia's letter (Relook benefits, harm of mammogram screening; June 15).
Mammography is not perfect, but it remains the most effective tool for population-based screening. Its benefits are supported by evidence from large-scale trials showing about 30 per cent reduction in mortality rate. With early detection, breast cancer therapy is also less radical, toxic and costly.

Submission by

College of Radiologists, Singapore
Singapore Radiological Society
Singapore Society of Oncology
Chapter of Pathologists

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

Published

2 November 2016

Title: Benefits of mammogram screening outweigh drawbacks.

We agree with Dr Yik Keng Yeong's call to improve breast cancer screening ("Improve breast cancer screening to reduce unnecessary treatment"; Oct 19). However, we wish to clarify some of the doubts he raised on the usefulness of mammogram screening.

Submission by

Chapter of Diagnostic Radiologists, College of Radiologists, Singapore
Chapter of General Surgeons, College of Surgeons, Singapore
Chapter of Pathologists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

Published

16 May 2013

Title: Traditional Cataract Surgery remains ‘gold standard’.

The College of Ophthalmologists wishes to address certain points in last Thursday's article ("New cataract surgery cuts blindness risk").

Submission by

College of Ophthalmologists

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

Published

31 August 2012

Title: Dental Surgeons Back Water Fluoridation Policy

We support the Ministry of Health’s reply which confirms the safety and costeffective measure of adding fluoride in low amounts to drinking water.

Submission by

College of Dental Surgeons, Singapore

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

Published

10 July 2012

Title: Effective MMR Vaccination in Singapore

We refer to Andy Ho's commentary (‘MMR vaccine: Shot in the dark?’; 5 July 2012) which suggested the need to give a third dose of the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccine in order to prevent outbreaks of mumps infection in Singapore.

Submission by

Chapter of Infectious Diseases Physicians, College of Physicians, Singapore
College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

Published

28 June 2012

Title: Benefits of Screening Mammography

In Singapore, the participation rate for screening is low. Of approximately 1,500 invasive breast cancers diagnosed annually, perhaps 15 per cent to 20 per cent of cases are detected by screening.

Submission by

Academy of Medicine, Singapore’s Workgroup on Mammography

To view the article, click on the following links below.

Available links

PRESS RELEASES

SCREENING TESTS REVIEW REPORT

Press Release

10 February 2011: A committee tasked to draw up a framework for health screening tests in Singapore has recommended that the adult population be screened for obesity, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes and colorectal cancer.

The Academy of Medicine, Singapore (AMS) said the framework is the first evidence-based best practice guidelines on screening tests here. >>

News Coverage : Screen for colon cancer nationwide'

12 February 2011: Colorectal cancer is the number one cancer for men and women here, and a panel of specialists is now calling for it to be screened on a national level.

The specialists, who are members of the Academy of Medicine Singapore, say that the method of screening should be colonoscopy, which costs about $1,500 without medical subsidy. >>

Screening Tests Review Report (Revised March 2019)

UPDATED GUIDELINES ON AESTHETIC PRACTICES FOR DOCTORS

Emergency Medical Services Asia 2026
7 Nov 2026

7 - 13 November

Sands Expo and Convention Centre

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Organised by the Asian Association for Emergency Medical Services (AAEMS), Section of EMS under the College of Emergency Physicians and the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, the 8th edition of EMS Asia 2026 is the region's foremost international conference for Pre-hospital and Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency Medical Services Asia 2026 spans 3 days starting with the Citizen Life Saving Summit. The conference is aimed at sharing best current practices among Emergency, Disaster and Trauma systems across Asia and how these integrate with community responses.

Launch of 2nd ESAE Module on AMSLearning
24 Aug 2026

The College of Dental Surgeons, Singapore is pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd mandatory online Ethics Self-Assessment Exercise (ESAE) module on AMSLearning for:

Dentists | Qualifying Period (QP) 01/10/2025 - 30/09/2027

OHTs | Qualifying Period (QP) 01/10/2026 - 30/09/2028

Complimentary for Fellows and Members in good standing.