For Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents, subsidies are available to offset the cost of these screenings. Cervarix, a HPV vaccine is available at the polyclinics and prevents persistent infection and cervical cancer caused by HPV Types 16 and 18. Breast cancer screening mammograms can also be done in polyclinics.

Mammograms

Women aged 50 and above are recommended to go for a mammogram every 2 years. A mammogram usually only takes 15 minutes, and is generally pain and discomfort-free.

The cost of a mammogram for women aged 50 and above is free if you hold the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) card in orange or blue.

For everyone else, the subsidized cost will be:

• $50 for Singaporean Citizens
• $75 for Permanent Residents
• $25 for Pioneers at participating locations

You will be eligible for the subsidy if you:

• Are a Singapore Citizen or PR
• Have not gone for a mammogram in the last 24 months
• Have no breast cancer symptoms such as lumps or bloodstained nipple discharge
• Have not been breastfeeding for the last 6 months
• 50 years old and above

The cost can further be offset using the funds from your Medisave account, or those of your immediate family member.

Pap Smears

Pap smears are used to detect abnormalities in the cervix and are the best screening tool for detection of cervical cancer. The procedure takes a few minutes and is only mildly uncomfortable.

If no abnormalities are detected, you will only need to undergo another pap smear in 3 years.

Pap smears are offered at no cost by the Singapore Cancer Society Clinic at Bishan (1800 727 3333) for sexually active women above 25 years old (Singaporeans and Permanent Residents). Download their brochure to find out more.

• $2 Subsidised rate for women who have the CHAS card in orange or blue at selected clinics.
• $5 Women above 25 (Singaporeans)
• $12.25 Women above 25 (PRs)

One can also get a pap smear done in a private clinic or hospital, where the price may range from $20 to $150.

Preventive – HPV Vaccinations

Women who have not done so can also consider taking a HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination, since most cervical cancers develop due to the HPV.

Girls as young as 9 are recommended to get their HPV vaccinations, as it is most effective when taken before a woman’s first sexual experience.

Colorectal cancer can also be screened using a simple kit that can be used at home

We recommend reading Living with Stage 3A: Surviving Breast Cancer. To know more about Gynaecological Cancers, continue reading about Ovarian Cancer , Cervical Cancer and Uterine Cancer.

References:

1. Money Smart (2019). Pap Smear Singapore Guide – How to Get Screened for Cervical Cancer (For Free!). Retrieved from https://blog.moneysmart.sg/healthcare/pap-smear-singapore/
2. Health Hub (2019). Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Subsidies in Singapore. Retrieved from https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/costs-and-financing/30/breast–cervical-cancer-screening-subsidies
3. Singapore Cancer Society (2016). Why Screen for Cancer? Retrieved from https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/get-screened/why-screen-for-cancer.html

At Jaga-Me, we believe that healthcare should be a social good – it is a basic human need, and should be available to as many people as possible. We aim to deliver the highest quality care through innovation and a commitment to building meaningful relationships.

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As the old adage goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” With the rising medical costs in Singapore, early detection can go a long way in reducing these treatment costs and with a better success rate. And if you or a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic condition, the idea of paying for a long time to cover the treatments can be rather overwhelming, too.

However, there are a few healthcare schemes in Singapore that allow you to pay lesser, or even nothing, for screenings and treatments. In this blog post, we discuss the various healthcare programmes which can help Singaporeans prevent or manage chronic diseases such as stroke, diabetes or heart diseases.

Screen For Life

Screen For Life is a national healthcare and screening scheme which offers Singaporeans and Permanent Residents health screening options based on their age and gender. With the subsidies, eligible individuals will only need to pay up to $5 for each screening test – sometimes even nothing at all.

You should get regular checkups and health screenings even if you do feel fine. This is because early detection, along with the appropriate healthcare, can prevent or delay the onset of certain diseases such as diabetes, as well as the complications related to them. Through your doctor’s advice, you can also make key changes to your lifestyle habits and improve the quality of your life.

Below is a list of screening tests offered under this healthcare scheme in Singapore and who are suitable for them:

As you can see, health screenings can start from a young age, so it’s best not to wait for too long.

Fees

The fees for this healthcare scheme are split into three tiers:

• Pioneer Generation (PG) card holders: $0
• Merdeka Generation (MG) card holders: $2
• Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card holders (Blue or Orange): $2
• CHAS card holders (Green) and eligible Singaporeans or Permanent Residents: $5

Log in via your SingPass to check if you are eligible for this healthcare scheme in Singapore.

How to apply

Screen For Life will recommend the best screening tests based on your age, gender, pre-existing conditions and your last screening date. You can then locate your nearest CHAS General Practitioner (GP) clinic to make an appointment. To enjoy the subsidised rate, remember to bring along your NRIC and/or PG/MG/CHAS card, if applicable.

Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

Unlike acute conditions, chronic diseases can develop slowly and worsen over time. This can cause a lot of emotional and financial stress on the sufferer and his or her family members. Through this healthcare scheme, the government in Singapore is providing grants which will help to reduce these burdens.

Launched in 2021, this programme encourages chronic disease sufferers to actively manage their conditions by regular monitoring. This will help to prevent them from worsening. Through the grants, patients can pay for:

• Medical diagnosis or their complications
• Relevant investigations, such as X-Ray scans
• Medication
• Services or treatments referred by a doctor

Fees

Covering 20 common chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and even mental conditions such as bipolar disorder, the CDMP allows patients to claim for outpatient bills and healthcare treatments. The scheme allows eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents to use up to $700 of MediSave funds yearly, depending on the severity of their conditions. Such payments can be made from their own or family members’ MediSave accounts.

However, do note that each claim is subject to 15% co-payment in cash. Individuals in Singapore with complex chronic conditions will be allowed to use up to $700, while those who are diagnosed with chronic conditions will have a cap of $500.

How to apply

To be eligible for this programme, the patient must be a Singaporean or Permanent Resident. He or she must be diagnosed or have an assessment to be diagnosed with a chronic disease. The CDMP is accessible across all public hospitals’ Specialist Outpatient CLinics (SOCs), government polyclinics, and more than 1,250 GP and private specialist clinics islandwide. All you need to do is to visit a participating clinic to enjoy these grants.

Caring for the Chronically Ill

If your loved one was recently struck with a negative diagnosis, your first worry is probably the cost given the expensive medical fees in Singapore. Therefore, consider these healthcare schemes as they can be helpful in relieving some of the financial strain.

Caring for someone who is chronically ill can also mean an all-round lifestyle change – including changing your time schedules and refitting the home. You may also need to take time off for daily care. With the rising elderly population in Singapore, this may also mean long-term care for seniors who need caregiving.

At Jaga-Me, our professional nurses and care aides are here for you. From providing clinical procedures to respite care services, we ensure that your needs are well-taken care of. Through our services, caregivers are able to focus their time and energy on the things that matter most. Contact us today to share concerns with us and find out more about how we can help you.