Cancers in Singapore

According to the latest report by the National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO), more than 74,000 individuals were diagnosed with cancer from 2014 to 2018, with 40 cases of cancer diagnosed every day, and over 28,000 people died from the disease during the same period.

In Singapore, the three most common cancers diagnosed in 2014 to 2018 are:

• colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers for males
• breast, colorectal and lung cancers for females

Deaths from the three most common cancers in 2014 to 2018 are:

• lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers for males
• breast, colorectal and lung cancers for females
  

Cancer can affect anyone. The majority of cancer cases are sporadic, which means that the disease is not inherited. An individual’s risk depends on factors such as age, family history of cancer, lifestyle and environmental exposures.

The risk of cancer can be classified into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Ways to reduce our modifiable risk factors include staying away from tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, diet and activity level, protecting ourselves from UV radiation, staying informed about the types of infections that are linked to cancer and getting ourselves vaccinated (if eligible). 

Some simple tips that individuals can adopt include:

• Exercising regularly by simply walking more, or taking the stairs
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Eating healthy servings of fruits and vegetables, and foods high in fibre
• Eating less fat and red meat
• Reducing alcohol intake, especially distilled spirits
• Avoiding or quitting smoking
• Avoiding unprotected sex and casual sex with multiple sexual partners
• Going for regular health screening
  

Learn about the different cancer types, signs and symptoms to look out for, and how you can lower your risk of cancer here. You can also download our cancer information booklets for free here.