Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport), and MP for Tampines GRC Mr Baey Yam Keng had 3 benign polyps found and removed during a colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer, reported the Straits Times. Sharing this on a Facebook post on 4 Aug 23, Mr Baey encourages others to get screened as well.

Colonoscopy Screening For Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is one of the most common cancers in Singapore. It is the most common cancer among males. For females, it is the second most common cancer. Colorectal cancer usually begins as non-cancerous polyps on the inner portions of the colon or rectum. They can turn cancerous over time if undetected. When discovered before they become cancerous, colorectal cancer can be prevented. Even if they have become cancerous, early detection makes the disease easier to treat.

Common ways of screening for colorectal cancer includes:

Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Screening For Colorectal Cancer

FIT screenings detect blood in the stool. This is based on the premise that cancers may bleed into the colon. This easy screening is available as a home kit and the patient does not need any other special equipment. Two stool samples are collected with the kit over 2 days and sent back to the clinic. If the results came back positive, you should immediately see your doctor about a colonoscopy or other tests necessary to determine if it is indeed colorectal cancer. FIT tests should be performed annually.

Colonoscopy Screening For Colorectal Cancer

Colonoscopy is considered the gold-standard screening for colorectal cancer. In Singapore, it is recommended for people over 50 years of age with average risk-profile. Colonoscopy is a procedure whereby the doctor examine the colon lining with an instrument called an endoscope. It is a thin flexible tube with a camera attached at one end. A colonoscopy can detect pre-cancerous polyps. The doctor is able to remove these polyps using the endoscope. Removal of polyps before they turn cancerous helps to prevent the cancer from developing. It also allows the doctor to carry out biopsies to determine the nature of the growths.

Colonoscopies are typically day surgery procedures taking around10-20 minutes. Patients are lightly sedated to ease potential discomfort. Colonoscopies should be performed once every ten years for the average person. People with higher risk factors will need more frequent screening. For instance, in Mr Baey’s case, he shared that the polyps were determined to be benign, but he would undergo another colonoscopy in three years’ time instead, since the polyps could possibly become cancerous.

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