Taking care of your health is one of the best investments you can make in yourself! Here are some health checks woman can do in Singapore – from breast cancer screening and Pap smears to vitamin D deficiency tests. We get the opinions and recommendations of a few doctors in Singapore on topics like nutrition and mammograms.
#1 Get to know your own breasts
“When it comes to women’s health, one of the simplest habits I recommend is getting to know your own breasts through regular self-checks,” says DR JERRY GOO, an accredited breast and general surgeon from Alliance Specialist Group (Breast and General Surgery) with over two decades of experience specialising in minimally invasive oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore. And according to Dr Goo, about 1 in 12 women will develop it during their lifetime – with incidence having increased more than threefold since the 1970s. The encouraging news, he says, is that outcomes have improved significantly. When detected early (at the pre-invasive stage or Stage 1 and 2) the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival are “excellent”. Breast cancers diagnosed at Stage 3 or 4, however, often require more extensive treatment and may have a less favourable prognosis.
“This is why breast awareness and regular health checks are so important,” says Dr Goo. “Breast cancer screening can identify abnormalities before symptoms develop, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.”
Breast cancer self-checks
Being aware of how your breasts normally look and feel can help you identify unusual changes early on. A breast self-examination only takes a few minutes and can be done in front of a mirror, while showering or lying down. “A breast self-check is not about finding problems,” Dr Goo explains. “It’s about understanding what is normal for your body. By checking your breasts once a month, you become familiar with their usual look and feel, making it easier to notice any changes.” When checking, he advises looking out for:
- A new lump in the breast, armpit or chest area
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin dimpling or puckering, sometimes described as an orange-peel appearance
- Redness or persistent skin changes
- Nipple discharge, especially if blood-stained
- Changes in the nipple, such as inversion or a persistent rash
- Persistent breast or armpit pain that does not go away
Dr Goo reassures that you don’t have to panic even if you notice something: “Eight out of ten breast lumps are non-cancerous.” Common causes, he notes, include breast nodularity, fibroadenomas and cysts. That said, don’t ignore any new or unusual changes. “Most breast changes are benign, but it is always worth getting them assessed by a doctor or breast specialist.”
From mammograms to lifestyle
While monthly breast health checks are important, Dr Goo says they do not replace formal health checks. In Singapore, women are generally encouraged to start annual mammograms from age 40, then every two years from age 50 onwards. A mammogram screening for breast cancer, he explains, is a low-dose X-ray that doesn’t take long to complete, with most women experiencing minimal discomfort.
Beyond health checks like mammograms, lifestyle choices also play a role. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and living smoke-free are habits that can help reduce breast cancer risk, and they’re all important components of women’s health and long-term wellbeing.
#2 Book a nutritional deficiency assessment health check
Many ladies are no strangers to suffering from bouts of mood swings, weight gain, chronic fatigue or even low libido. But before we chalk them up simply to hormones, ageing or “being a woman”, it might be to our benefit to first take a nutritional deficiency test.
DR SANKEERTH REDDY and DR TIFFANY YEO-REDDY are co-founders of health and wellness clinic Zest Clinic. They highlight the importance of regular nutritional deficiency health checks for women. In particular, for iron, ferritin (a blood protein that contains iron) and vitamin D deficiency. “Iron deficiency has a great implication for women. It can easily lead to low energy levels, tiredness, poor sleep, menstrual issues, hair loss, weight gain, low energy, low mood, skin and nail issues.” Similarly, vitamin D deficiency also leads to issues such as osteopenia or bone density loss, while also affecting a woman’s mood and metabolism.
Health checks and treatment plans
“That’s why it’s so important to identify low iron and vitamin D deficiency. Only then can you accurately correct it,” says Dr Reddy. To do so, Dr Yeo-Reddy, who heads Zest Clinic’s women’s health services, recommends in-clinic blood tests and consultation. After this, doctors can propose the most suitable treatment plan, which may include iron supplements, IV iron infusion, vitamin D high-dose capsules or injections. Iron infusions can lead to significant improvements in energy levels, mood, anxiety levels, sports and exercise performance within weeks. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels take a few months to build up, while bone density enhancements may take several months to reflect on BMD scans.
Dr Reddy and Dr Yeo-Reddy recommend a health check at least annually to prevent iron and vitamin D deficiency (as well as low hemoglobin and bone mineral density in mature women). But that’s not all. We are what we eat, and an iron- and protein-rich diet is key. “Vitamin D is rich in fatty fish like salmon and tuna, organ meats, mushrooms, eggs and dairy. Plus, avoid processed foods that could leach nutrients from your gut. A healthy lifestyle with adequate amounts of exercise and sunlight also allows our body to create its own vitamin D and prevent vitamin D deficiency.”
#3 Strive for a balanced diet
The likes of gluten-free diets, no-dairy products and meat-free alternatives have been all the rage in recent years, fawned over as ways to eat clean and keep weight under control. But are they effective for everyone? Not necessarily, according to gastroenterologist DR ANDREA RAJNAKOVA.
Take many women’s increasing aversion to gluten, for example. “For healthy people who do not have coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, there is no scientific evidence that gluten-free living has any health benefits or that it is necessary to eliminate it from the diet. Gluten is a common component of many foods and grains. They contain important nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals,” says Dr Rajnakova. “The misconception that bread and wheat foods cause weight gain comes from oversimplification and a misunderstanding of nutrition and how your body works. It is not true that bread is automatically unhealthy or that it makes you gain weight.”
She emphasises the importance of recognising negative aspects of cutting out specific food groups for non-medical reasons. Often, alternatives require substitutes that may contain more fat, sugar or other additives to improve taste and texture. This can lead to an unbalanced diet and increased calorie intake. Not to mention, they’re often more expensive and harder to find.
Eat the rainbow
The healthier way forward? Strive for a balanced and colourful diet that provides the body with the necessary nutrients and energy. Dr Rajnakova suggests eating a variety of foods from different food groups in your diet. They include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, dairy products and healthy fats. Avoid excessive intake of refined sugars and saturated fats, give preference to fresh and unprocessed foods, and watch your fluid intake. Yes, that includes alcohol and your favourite Coke Zero.
She adds, “It’s important to remember that healthy eating is a long-term commitment and requires balance, moderation and long-term consistency. It doesn’t work based on a single meal or a one-time strategy. Equally important is regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.”
#4 Schedule a Pap smear
Cervical cancer screening is among the most important health checks for women. Also known as a cervical smear, a Pap smear test is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix (the entrance to the uterus). It detects early pre-cancerous cells with the aim of preventing cervical cancer, explains DR HINA KADWANI of International Medical Clinic (IMC).
“Cervical cancer can present with symptoms of pain or bleeding during intercourse or irregular vaginal bleeding in between periods. However, in some cases, there may be no symptoms. Therefore, it’s crucial for women to undergo regular Pap smears as part of their health checks.”
How this health check is done
The health check can be easily done in a clinic consultation. It involves collecting a sample of cells from the cervix during a routine pelvic examination. First, an instrument called a speculum is inserted into the vagina, allowing for a clear view of the cervix. Once the speculum is inserted, a brush is used to take a sample of cells from the cervix. This may feel a little strange; however, it only takes a few minutes to complete and is not usually painful.
Dr Kadwani points out a concurrent test for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is routinely recommended. It can be done on the same sample of cervical cells already taken. The cells are then also checked for the presence of HPV.
“Multiple strains of HPV can affect different parts of the body, including the skin, mouth, throat and genitals. Certain HPV strains are deemed high risk and are linked to the development of abnormal cells, which can lead to cervical cancer,” she says. “Screening for the presence of HPV can help determine a patient’s risk for developing abnormal cell changes. Results for the HPV test will often report if you are positive for HPV and if you are positive for a high-risk strain.”
For normal results, Dr Kadwani says the patient’s HPV status (positive or negative) determines the interval period for repeat Pap smears. Your healthcare provider can make this decision with you.
For abnormal Pap smear results, she says management options depend on the extent of cell changes found. “Mild changes require observation initially, followed up by a repeat Pap smear at a shorter interval. Moderate to severe changes may require a gynaecology referral for further investigation and, in some instances, removal of the abnormal cells.”
Directory
Alliance Specialist Group (Breast and General Surgery)
#03-10 Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road
6298 0913 | WhatsApp 8860 2891
BGS.info@alliancespecialistgroup.com
alliancespecialistgroup.com/clinics/asg-breast-general-surgery
Zest Clinic
#05-04/05 Parkway Parade Medical Centre, 80 Marine Parade Road
9176 9378 | zest.clinic
Andrea’s Digestive, Colon, Liver and Gallbladder Clinic
#21-11/12 Royal Square Novena, 101 Irrawaddy Road
6264 2836 | andrea-digestive-clinic.com
International Medical Clinic
IMC Camden, IMC Children’s, IMC Holland Village, IMC Katong and IMC Serangoon Garden
6733 4440 | imc-healthcare.com
If you found this article on health checks like breast cancer screenings, Pap smears and mammograms useful, you can read more in our Health & Fitness section.
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