Dr. Tan Chuan Chien

Breast Cancer Screening In Singapore

Breast cancer occurs when malignant cells develop in the breast tissues. With early detection through regular screening (mammogram), chances of survival can be greatly increased.

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Why Is Breast Cancer Screening Important?

According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean women. Unfortunately, about 1 in 12-14 women in Singapore will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. As breast cancer is a very common type of cancer, there has been a lot of research in the last 50 years to improve its outcomes. Today, if a woman is diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, the success rate for treatment is high and the treatment process is much simpler than before.

Breast cancer screening aims to look for breast cancer when it is still small and early, before it creates any symptoms. This will enable doctors to offer simpler treatments and better survival outcomes.

Benefits of a Mammogram for Breast Cancer Screening

Reduction in the risk of dying from breast cancer.
A mammogram can detect small changes in the breast before it’s physically (clinically) apparent.
If a cancer was diagnosed early, this may imply a chance that the patient may not need chemotherapy.
A mammogram is one of the fastest breast cancer screening methods as it takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
Reduction in the risk of undergoing a complete removal of the breast (mastectomy).

What Is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is a breast cancer screening test that involves taking an X-ray of your breasts. It is used to look for breast cancer in women who have an average risk of developing breast cancer.

Who Should Get Screened?

In Singapore, the recommended guideline is for all women aged 40 to 49 years old to go for a bilateral 2D mammography once every year, while women aged 50 to 69 years old to go for a bilateral 2D mammography once every two years.

However, as there is no “one size fits all” solution, each woman should discuss with their Breast cancer specialist to better understand their individual risk and needs, and agree on a suitable screening regimen, modality and interval that is right for them.

Often, breast cancer develops silently without any warning signs. Do NOT wait for the symptoms. Schedule a quick breast cancer screening today.

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Other Breast Cancer Screening Options

During your consultation, Dr. Tan Chuan Chien will discuss with you and agree on the best screening plan for you.
Here are some other screening methods (apart from a mammogram):

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT)

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) is a new imaging technology that addresses the limitations of a 2D mammography. DBT uses low dose radiation to capture the breast image from multiple angles to construct a 3-dimensional X-ray image of the breast.

Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves to produce high-quality images of your breast. The procedure can be used both as an alternative to mammograms or in addition to mammograms, depending on the situation.

Breast ultrasound is used to examine potential abnormalities or masses in your breasts, such as tumours, cysts and calcifications. It can also be used during biopsies and treatments.

MRI

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of your breast. The MRI scans provide your breast specialist with an accurate view of the internal appearance of your breast as well as any suspicious growth.

The procedure is highly recommended for individuals aged between 25 – 35 years old who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer.

If you had silicone injections in the past to augment your breasts, ultrasounds and mammograms might be ineffective. In such a case, your doctor may recommend an MRI scan. However, MRI is not recommended for routine screening of average-risk women.

For Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners

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Dr. Tan Chuan Chien

Senior Consultant General Surgeon Breast & Thyroid Surgery

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)- The University of Adelaide, Australia
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
Full Registration, Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and Specialist Accreditation Board, Singapore (General Surgery)
Full General & Specialist Registration (General Surgery), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Completed Breast Surgery training through the BreastSurgANZ Fellowship programme
Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS)

Dr. Tan Chuan Chien is a Fellowship-trained Breast and Endocrine Surgeon practicing as a Consultant General Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore. He also sees patients at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre and Parkway East Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is a registered Specialist Surgeon (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia.

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Modern Facilities

We are equipped with modern and updated equipment, and a team that will take care of all your needs.

Accredited Specialist

Dr. Tan is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He is also accredited to practice as a Specialist in both Singapore and Australia.

Focused After Care

Dr. Tan firmly believes that transdisciplinary care is the key to every patient’s recovery journey.

Video-consultation for overseas patients

Dr Tan is available via video-consultations for patients who are not in Singapore.

How Is a Mammogram Performed?

A mammogram involves taking images of your breasts with X-rays to detect any abnormalities or changes in the breast tissue.

You do not need to fast prior to a mammogram and it would be advisable to wear a two-piece outfit since you will be required to remove any clothing from the waist up during the scan. Avoid wearing any jewellery when you go for your scan.

During the scan, the radiologist will gently lower 2 paddles to gently compress your breast. Compression of the breast is necessary to enable the radiologist to obtain a good X-ray image for analysis. It is normal to experience some discomfort during compression. To reduce discomfort, it is advisable to schedule your mammogram one week after your menses, especially if you experience breast swelling and tenderness during that period.