Who should go for health screening?
Health screening is for everyone, including you, and here’s why. Health screening helps you find out if you are suffering from a particular disease or condition. Screening can help you detect disease conditions you may have, even if you look and feel well. In fact, many conditions such as diabetes and high blood cholesterol often have no early signs or symptoms.
Early detection makes early treatment and good control of the condition possible. Early treatment prevents the risk of serious complications if the condition is managed properly. It is therefore important to get yourself screened even if you feel perfectly healthy.
What is health screenings?
Health screening consists of tests, examinations or other procedures such as blood tests and X-rays that are carried out to determine if you have a particular disease or condition.
Health screening is highly recommended for the following persons who are at high risk:
- Have a family history of chronic diseases or conditions, e.g. if you have an immediate family member with a particular medical condition
- Are people 40 years or older.
Not all screening tests are necessary or helpful. A test needed by someone may not always be suitable for another. Talk to your doctor first before going for a health screening. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the type of tests you may need.
Recommended screenings and frequency
The table below provides the recommended age and frequency for screening for several diseases and conditions. Keep in mind that the recommended screening age and frequency are just guidelines. If you have prior related medical conditions, greater exposure to risk factors or have family members with a history of these conditions, it is best to consult your family doctor for advice.
| Disease or Condition |
Recommended age for screening |
Recommended frequency for screening |
Screening test |
| Obesity |
18 years old & above |
Once every year |
Body Mass Index (BMI) |
| High blood pressure (hypertension) |
40 years old & above |
At least once every year or whenever you visit your doctor |
Blood Pressure (BP) measurement |
| High blood cholesterol |
40 years old & above |
Once every 3 years |
Fasting Blood Lipids test |
| Diabetes |
40 years old & above |
Once every 3 years |
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) test |
| Colorectal cancer |
50 years old & above |
Once every year |
Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) |
For women only:
| Disease or Condition |
Recommended age for screening |
Recommended frequency for screening |
Screening test |
| Cervical cancer |
25 years & above (for all women who have ever had sex) |
Once every 3 years |
Pap smear
|
| Breast cancer |
50 years & above |
Once every 2 years |
Mammogram |
| Between 40–49 years old |
Once every year |
| Below 40 years |
Breast Self Examination |
Where can I go for health screenings?
You can visit your family doctor to get more information about the screening tests you need and health screening packages available. Health screenings is available at many private clinics, polyclinics and hospitals. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) also runs several national programmes that encourage people to be screened for possible diseases and conditions. Some of these programmes include:
The Integrated Screening Programme encourages Singaporeans aged 40 years and above to be screened for diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, obesity and cervical cancer. The health screening tests are available at Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)-registered clinics near you. Do visit the Chronic Disease Management website or the Integrated Screening Programme for more information on the programme.
CervicalScreen Singapore (CSS) is a national cervical cancer screening programme aimed at encouraging women to go for Pap smear tests once every 3 years. Subsidised Pap smear screening for cervical cancer is currently available at all polyclinics. You can call or visit any polyclinic to make an appointment.
BreastScreen Singapore is the national breast cancer screening programme. Mammography for the detection of breast cancers is offered at a subsidised rate at some polyclinics.
If you have questions or need more information, you can also call HealthLine at 1800 223 1313 to speak to a Nurse Adviser.
