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
What exactly is multi-cancer early detection? How does it work
Dr Chrystal Fong Chern Ying, Family Physician at Asia HealthPartners
Cancer is a significant public health concern globally. It remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, and its global burden is projected to rise significantly in the coming two decades.
Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) refers to a new generation of blood-based screening tests designed to detect multiple types of cancer at once, often before symptoms appear. These tests leverage nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) technology to analyse circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and other molecular markers in the blood.
This enables the detection of subtle genetic and epigenetic changes associated with multiple cancers, which are released into circulation by most cancer cells even before conventional imaging or blood testing suggests active disease. The multicancer early detection (MCED) test enhances current cancer-screening methods.
Current traditional cancer screening methods are organ-specific, with each test designed to detect a single type of cancer – for example, mammography for breast cancer, pap smear for cervical cancer, and colonoscopy or stool testing for colorectal cancer. MCED can screen for multiple cancers through a single blood draw, enabling detection of cancers that are not currently available for screening.
Identification of ctDNA allows for an earlier detection of cancer than the traditional methods – which in turn can mean improved effective treatment and survival. When a cancer signal is detected, MCED testing can localise the most likely organ source or tissue where the cancer began. This results in a more precise approach in diagnostics and imaging tests, reducing unnecessary investigations, time delays and patient anxiety.
MCED testing provides a step forward in cancer prevention screening, enabling an earlier, broader and less invasive detection with the aim of reducing late stage diagnoses, improving treatment outcomes, and ultimately lowering cancer-related mortality.
Asia Health Partners
#05-06 Lucky Plaza Singapore, 304 Orchard Road
6235 7888 | WhatsApp 9234 3477 | asiahealthpartners.com
Stay Supported on the Slopes
Heading off on a snowy holiday escape? Don’t go without Bauerfeind’s latest products designed to keep you comfy and supported on the slopes. The new Outdoor Compression Knee Support, made in Germany with premium Merino wool, adapts to every climate – it cools in the heat, warms in the cold and wicks away moisture. Meanwhile, the new Ski Performance Compression Socks offer targeted calf compression and strategic padding to fit perfectly inside ski boots. Featuring Dryarn technology, they ensure efficient moisture management, keeping feet fresh and dry while offering extra support, stability and comfort. Perfect for skiing, hiking or any winter adventure!
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
Will my gynaecological cancer treatment end my chance at having kids or make my menopause symptoms worse?
Dr Felicia Chin Hui Xian, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist at Gynae Onco Partners
Fertility preservation and menopause management are often major concerns for gynaecological cancer patients. Preservation options require early and individualised discussions with oncologists and fertility specialists. Timing is critical as many decisions must be made before treatment starts.
For some early-stage cancers, we can consider ovarian-sparing surgery. In selected patients undergoing radiation, ovarian transposition (surgical hitching of the ovaries away from the radiotherapy treatment field) is an option. GnRH agonists during chemotherapy may protect the ovaries from chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage.
As for menopause, treatment can indeed trigger early menopause or worsen symptoms. For treating menopausal symptoms and preventing bone and heart disease, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) remains the standard. It’s available orally, transdermally or vaginally. Other options include low-dose antidepressants, anticonvulsants, fezolinetant (a new class of neurokinin B receptor antagonist) and vaginal moisturisers and lubricants.
MHT is very effective for symptom relief; when used appropriately, especially before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits usually outweigh the risks. However, it may not be suitable for all, especially women with hormone-sensitive cancers. Careful patient selection is key.
In addition, exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding caffeine or spicy foods help reduce hot flushes. Cooling the environment, wearing breathable fabrics and stress management techniques like meditation and yoga are also useful. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Management must be tailored, integrating medical, psychological and lifestyle strategies.
Gynae Onco Partners
#10-10 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre (Orchard)
#08-14 Gleneagles Medical Centre
WhatsApp 8139 6819 | gynaeoncopartners.com | contact@gynaeoncopartners.com
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
I’ve noticed some varicose veins on my legs; what causes these bulging veins and why did I develop them?
Dr Sujit Singh Gill, Director and Consultant Vascular & General Surgeon at The Vascular and General Surgery Centre
Varicose veins occur when the tiny valves inside your leg veins stop working properly. Normally, these valves keep blood flowing upwards towards your heart. In other words, venous blood flow is supposed to be a one-way street. When the valves weaken, they do not close properly, allowing a backflow of blood. The veins have now become two-way streets. This blood pools in the veins in the most dependent part of your body – the legs. This increase in pressure is what causes them to stretch, dilate and bulge.
Varicose veins often start small, then progressively increase in size over time. In the long term, backflow of blood may result in skin damage in the areas around the ankles – a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). A person with this condition is at increased risk of developing chronic ulcers or non-healing wounds of the leg.
Common causes include standing for long hours (for example, teachers, nurses, retail staff), family history (genetics matter!), pregnancy and hormonal changes, ageing, and inactivity. Varicose veins are more common in women, but men get them too. Statistically, one in three adults will develop some form of venous reflux (or backflow). Fortunately, most cases are mild. Modern treatments, such as endovenous ablations, are effective and minimally invasive. These are usually performed as day procedures. The best outcomes are achieved when treatment is carried out before CVI becomes established.
The Vascular & General Surgery Centre
#18-05 Paragon Medical Suites, 290 Orchard Road
6736 2302 | tvgsc.sg | enquiry@tvgsc.sg
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“Why do I grind my teeth at night and is it something to worry about?”
Dr Nijam Latiff, Dental Surgeon and General Dental Practitioner at T32 Dental Centre @ Financial District
If you’ve ever woken up with a sore jaw, sensitive teeth or even been told you grind your teeth at night, you may have experienced bruxism. While many people assume teeth grinding is simply a stress habit, science shows it’s often more complex.
Neurologist Dr Jerald Simmons and colleagues have highlighted that bruxism is closely linked to sleep physiology and airway health. In some cases, the grinding reflex is the body’s way of protecting itself. The grinding reflex can be described as a micro-movement that helps reopen a compromised airway as a result of poor jaw position or tongue posture.
Other research describes different phenotypes (patterns) of bruxism. For instance, some children grind their teeth as part of normal brain development processes such as synaptic pruning and often grow out of it. Adults, however, may grind due to stress, reflux, sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea or certain medications.
Why does this matter? Because the impact isn’t just noise at night.
Untreated bruxism can lead to cracked teeth, severe tooth wear (attrition), gum recession and jaw joint strain. It can also be a sign of deeper systemic issues such as airway obstruction or neurological sleep disorders.
And here’s the key takeaway: There is no one-size-fits-all solution. A standard night guard may help protect your teeth, but if the underlying cause is airway-related, that same guard could actually make things worse. Effective care often requires a tailored multi-disciplinary approach addressing stress, sleep hygiene, bite alignment, airway health or a combination of these.
If you suspect you grind your teeth, don’t ignore it. An assessment with an airway-focused dentist can help uncover whether your bruxism is just a temporary nuisance or a signal of something more significant and guide you towards the right treatment.
T32 Dental Centre @ Financial District
#02-01 CapitaGreen, 138 Market Street
6385 1788 | t32dental.com/dental-centre-financial-district
Fun and Family-friendly Dental Care
Here’s your friendly reminder that it’s time for your end-of-year dental check-ups! With locations at Raffles Place, Telok Ayer and Orchard, Dental Designs Clinic is a welcoming place for the entire family. Kids can play in the children’s corner while parents unwind with ceiling TVs and cosy blankets. The clinic also houses an in-house lab and modern equipment to make treatments smoother, more efficient and comfortable – whether it’s your child’s first appointment or a routine check-up.
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“How does our typical Singaporean diet – all the high-salt hawker food and high-sugar drinks – actually impact heart health?”
Dr Sheldon Lee, Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Orchard Heart Specialist Clinic
One of the great joys of living in Singapore is its food scene. From hawker staples like chicken rice and laksa to bubble tea and kopi, there’s something for every taste. But while these meals are comforting and convenient, many are also high in salt, oil, sugar and refined carbs. Over time, these raise the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
So how can you enjoy local flavours without “breaking” your heart? A good place to start is by thinking more plant-based. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains are consistently linked to better heart health. The Mediterranean diet, often held up as the “gold standard”, emphasises exactly this. It includes healthy fats like olive oil, moderate amounts of fish and poultry and very little red meat or processed food.
It’s surprisingly easy to adapt this to Singapore. Choose brown or mixed-grain rice, go for stir-fried greens or tofu dishes and pick grilled or steamed fish over fried options. At the drinks stall, a simple “less sugar” or “siu dai” (less sweet) can go a long way.
Another option is the whole-food plant based diet, which avoids highly processed foods and instead focuses on natural plant ingredients. Research shows this approach lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight –powerful ways to reduce cardiovascular risk.
As I often tell my patients: every meal is a chance to take care of your heart, without sacrificing the joy of eating well.
Locations at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Mount Alvernia Hospital and Parkway East Hospital
orchardheart.com
Screen for Multiple Cancers from Home
Looking for a smarter way to stay on top of your health? Doctor Anywhere now offers a single, minimally invasive blood test that can screen for signs of multiple cancers, even harder-to-detect types like pancreatic, liver and ovarian. Using advanced AI and multi-omics technology, this Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test can help identify signals earlier and support timely treatment. With Doctor Anywhere’s licensed home-based service, you can prioritise your health from the comfort of your home. Consult a healthcare provider to learn more.
doctoranywhere.com/multi-cancer-early-detection
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“What’s the difference between gastric pain and gallstone pain? I can’t tell if it’s just something I ate.”
Dr Sujit Singh Gill, Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at The Vascular & General Surgery Centre
If you’re experiencing pain in your upper abdomen, figuring out whether it’s “just something you ate” or something more serious like gallstones can be difficult.
Gastric pain is typically felt as a burning or gnawing discomfort in the upper abdomen just below the chest. Bloating, nausea and a sensation of fullness may occur. It’s often triggered by spicy foods, caffeine, stress or skipping meals, and it might improve with antacids or after consuming food. The onset tends to be gradual. Sometimes, these symptoms can be severe, mimicking a gallstone attack.
Gallstone pain is usually located in the upper right abdomen and can radiate to the right shoulder or back. It’s sharp, intense and often begins suddenly – nausea, vomiting and cold sweats often accompany the pain. The pain is persistent, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours and does not improve with antacids. While it may be triggered by a heavy or fatty meal, this is not always the case. If the pain is mild and improves with antacids, it’s more likely gastric.
If the pain is accompanied by fever, chills, jaundice, dark-coloured urine, pale stools or itchy skin, seek urgent medical attention. These may be signs of serious complications. If you’re still unsure, speak to your doctor for proper diagnosis.
Unit 18-05, Paragon Medical Suites, 290 Orchard Road
6736 2302 | tvgsc.sg | enquiry@tvgsc.sg
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“I’m a gynaecological cancer survivor in my 40s experiencing fatigue, joint pain and mood swings. Is this menopause or has my cancer returned?”
Dr Lim Sheow Lei, Senior Medical Oncologist at OncoCare Cancer Centre
Menopause, defined as 12 months without menstruation, is a natural part of ageing for most women, usually occurring around age 49 in Singapore. Natural menopause is gradual, but cancer treatments can cause an abrupt drop in oestrogen levels and induce early or abrupt menopause.
This is particularly true for gynaecological cancer patients. Many gynaecological cancers affect women at the typical age for menopause, with one-third of patients in Singapore under 50. Treatments often involve ovary removal, pelvic radiation or chemotherapy, all of which can suddenly halt hormone production and trigger early menopause with more severe symptoms.
Adding to the confusion, menopausal symptoms can closely resemble effects of cancer treatment or even signs of recurrence. In Singapore, muscle and joint pain is the most common symptom, affecting one in three women, whereas hot flushes are more typical in Western populations. Other symptoms like fatigue or joint pain can mimic cancer treatment effects or signs of recurrence, heightening anxiety in survivors already carrying emotional trauma.
Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, many women fail to recognise them. Others may hesitate to voice their experiences due to cultural norms, societal stigma or the misconception that suffering in silence is part of the process. This silence can delay diagnosis and management.
It’s important for doctors to differentiate between symptoms due to treatment and those due to hormonal changes. Menopause is often the missing piece in post-cancer care conversations.
Gleneagles, Gleneagles Annexe, Mount Elizabeth Novena,
Mount Elizabeth Orchard & Mount Alvernia
6250 8160 | oncocare.sg | enquiries@oncocare.sg
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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