Reducing Breast Cancer Screening Age Limit for Early Detection and Subsidies for Women under 50

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) for breast cancer screening under Healthier SG, whether the Ministry will consider lowering the age limit to women aged 45 years and above for early detection as the risk of breast cancer increases with age; and (b) what are the subsidies available for women aged 50 and below seeking breast cancer screening.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Currently, under Healthier SG Screening, eligible women aged 50 to 69 years old can undergo fully subsidised breast cancer screening every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 years old can do so too, if their doctor deems it to be clinically appropriate.

The incidence of breast cancer has steadily increased over the last few decades across age groups, including younger women in their 40s, and the Ministry of Health will continue to review the evidence and screening recommendations.