{
  "id": 6040891,
  "title": "New health guidelines: Osteoporosis screening, earlier breast cancer scan recommended",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/new-health-guidelines-osteoporosis-screening-earlier-breast-cancer",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-06T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-health-guidelines-osteoporosis-screening-recommended-breast-cancer-scans-to-start-earlier"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nHealth 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.",
  "summary": "The Health Ministry is reviewing the recommendations and whether to provide the relevant subsidies.",
  "key_points": [
    "Women aged 50+ and men aged 65 recommended for osteoporosis screening",
    "Breast cancer screening advised for women 40-49 annually, 50-74 every two years",
    "Annual hypertension screening for all, lung cancer screening for high-risk at 50"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}