While there’s plenty of fitness and health news that just seems like it’s designed to scare the pants off us, there’s also plenty that we need to pay attention to. Our monthly health hub in print and online will answer a few questions and give you health news that’s relevant to keeping you fit and healthy.
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
How do we know which fertility treatment is right for us? There are so many options, from medication to IUI and IVF.
Determining the optimal fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, but this decision is typically guided by a structured approach that considers multiple factors unique to each couple’s situation.
Initial screening – This includes hormone panels, semen analysis and imaging of reproductive organs. These diagnostics help identify specific causes of infertility, which directly inform treatment recommendations.
Stepped approach – Most fertility specialists follow a progressive strategy, starting with less invasive and less expensive options before advancing to more complex treatments:
#1 Lifestyle modifications: Often, the first recommendation involves optimising health through nutrition, exercise, stress management and addressing factors like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
#2 Medication: For many women, particularly those with ovulatory disorders, fertility medications may be the first medical intervention. These can range from oral medications like clomiphene citrate or letrozole to injectable gonadotropins.
#3 In vitro fertilization (IVF): When simpler treatments fail, or in cases of severe male factor infertility, blocked fallopian tubes, advanced endometriosis, or diminished ovarian reserve, IVF may be recommended.
Key decision factors – Several crucial elements influence which treatment path is appropriate.
- Age: This is perhaps the most critical factor, as fertility declines significantly with age, particularly after 35. Older patients may move to more aggressive treatments sooner.
- Diagnosis: The specific causes of infertility heavily dictate treatment approaches.
- Duration of Infertility: Couples who have been trying longer may be advised to progress more quickly to advanced treatments.
- Prior Treatments: Response to previous interventions helps guide the next steps. The final decision typically emerges from an ongoing dialogue between you and your fertility specialist, taking into account both clinical factors and personal preferences.
Dr Yeong Cheng Toh, Medical Director at IVF(SG)
IVF(SG) #06-04 Scotts Medical Center @ Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road
6817 5731 | WhatsApp 8511 4633
ivfsg.com.sg
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
Why is colorectal cancer screening so important, even though I’m feeling healthy?
When it comes to cancer, early detection can make all the difference. This is especially true for colorectal cancer, one of the most common and preventable types of cancer. Screening not only detects colorectal cancer early when it is most treatable – it can actually prevent the disease from developing in the first place.
Colorectal cancer often grows quietly, without obvious warning signs. Many people look and feel perfectly healthy even as polyps – small growths that can become cancerous over time – form in the colon. By the time symptoms like blood in the stool, abdominal pain or weight loss appear, the disease may already be advanced.
Screening saves lives. Detecting polyps early offers the best chance to remove them before they develop into cancer. Early stage colorectal cancer is often treatable with surgery alone. In contrast, advanced cancer requires more complex treatments and has lower survival rates.
Early detection leads to simpler treatments and better outcomes. Find out how we can assist you with your concerns about cancer and cancer screening by visiting our patient education blog. To make an appointment, reach out to us online or call us.
Dr Tan Hon Lyn, Senior Consultant at OncoCare Cancer Centre
OncoCare Cancer Centre Locations at Gleneagles, Gleneagles Annexe, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Mount Elizabeth Orchard and Mount Alvernia.
6250 8160 |Â enquiries@oncocare.sg
oncocare.sg
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
Are there specific health screenings men and women should prioritise at different life stages?
Absolutely. Prioritising health screenings at appropriate life stages is one of the most powerful steps individuals can take to protect their long-term wellbeing. Unlike diagnostic tests, which are conducted when symptoms arise, screenings are proactive tools designed to detect potential issues early – often before any signs of illness appear.
Early detection can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve treatment outcomes. Routine screenings can identify chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as life-threatening diseases like cancer. According to Singapore’s National Registry of Disease Office (2017-2021), the most common cancers among men are colorectal, lung and prostate, while women most frequently face breast, colorectal and lung cancer. These trends underscore the need for gender-specific screenings. For instance, women aged 50 and above are strongly encouraged to undergo regular mammograms, and both men and women should begin colorectal cancer screenings at the same age.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health offers comprehensive, evidence-based screening guidelines, tailored to various age groups and individual risk profiles, including family history and pre-existing conditions.
Ultimately, regular screenings are a cornerstone of preventive care. They offer peace of mind, empower individuals to take control of their health, and enable early intervention when needed. So even if you feel perfectly well, don’t wait for symptoms to emerge – schedule those screenings. After all, investing a little time in prevention today could mean a healthier, longer life tomorrow.
Dr Michelle Lee, Medical Director at Fullerton Health
Fullerton Health Executive Health Screening Centres:
#05-01 Novena Square Tower B
#26-02 Ngee Ann City Tower B
#03-08/09 Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay
6333 3636 | fullertonhealth.com/sg/services/executive-health-screening
New Addition!
Exciting news at the Osteopathic Treatment Centre – Vincent Lee, Singapore’s first certified Rolfer, has joined the team. With extensive training from the Rolf Institute in the USA and Australia, Vincent specialises in posture, structural integration and treating myofascial pain, back tension and hip and lower back pain. Rolfing, developed by Dr Ida P Rolf, is a unique manual therapy that reorganises the fascia, the connective tissues that enclose the body’s muscles and organs. Vincent works alongside osteopath David Tio and podiatrist Rosalie Tio at the Orchard Towers clinic.
A Step Away from Healthy Teeth
We’ve officially hit the halfway point of the year, so here’s a reminder to book a mid-year dental checkup for yourself and your family! One conveniently located clinic in Singapore’s CBD is Dental Designs Clinic, where you’ll find a team of internationally trained dentists who blend compassionate care with advanced dentistry. Equipped with an in-house lab, the clinic operates with a fully digital workflow to offer faster, smoother and more precise treatments including same-day crowns, Invisalign and dental surgery. Communication is never a barrier here, either; the dentists speak a variety of languages including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, Tamil, Japanese, Spanish, Russian and French, so you’ll always feel comfortable and understood no matter where you’re from.
This health hub of fitness and health news first appeared in our monthly Expat Living magazine. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue! Or head over to our Health & Fitness section for lots of great full-length features.
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