New health guidelines: Osteoporosis screening, earlier breast cancer scan recommended
The Health Ministry is reviewing the recommendations and whether to provide the relevant subsidies.
New health guidelines from the Screening Test Review Committee (STRC) recommend that women aged 50 and men aged 65 undergo osteoporosis screening and risk assessment. Previously, there were no screening recommendations for the general population. Additionally, earlier breast cancer screening for women is now advised, with annual screening recommended for women aged 40 to 49 and every two years for those aged 50 to 74, if they have no symptoms and normal risk.
Previously, women aged 50 to 69 were advised to have a mammogram every two years in the same risk category.
The STRC, chaired by Chia Kee Seng, consists of 16 local clinicians and updates screening guidelines considering current clinical evidence, best practices, and input from experts and specialist groups. Other key recommendations include annual hypertension screening for all, even those with normal blood pressure, and lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals starting at 50 instead of 55, and up to 80 instead of 74.
Osteoporosis screening guidelines have been formalized for the first time, with women advised to self-assess their risk from age 50 or post-menopause, whichever comes first. Asian women's risk can be estimated based on a score derived from subtracting their weight in kilograms from their age.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that MOH is reviewing the recommendations and determining if they will be incorporated under the Healthier SG screening program, which would also establish subsidies for the recommended screenings. The STRC's recommendations will be implemented progressively and communicated publicly when ready.
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