Breast Cancer Treatment in Singapore

Medically reviewed by Dr Johann Tang, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist

Overview of Breast Cancer Treatment

In Singapore, breast cancer is the most common female cancer. However, survival rates have increased across all ethnicities due to early detection and treatment. 

Breast cancer is highly treatable and has a good prognosis if detected early. Hence, all women, between the ages of 40 and 69 years old, are strongly encouraged to go for regular breast cancer screening.

If diagnosed with breast cancer, the treatment regime recommended is dependent on several factors such as cancer cell type, cancer staging, tumour size, possibility of breast conservation, hormone sensitivity of cancer cells, and the patient’s medical condition.  Also, the patient’s personal preferences will be considered, where practical, when customizing their treatment regime.

Currently, there are 4 types of treatment that may be offered alone or in combination depending on the patient’s needs:

1. Surgery
2. Radiation Therapy
3. Chemotherapy
4. Hormonal Therapy

Types of Treatment

Surgery 

Surgery is the main and primary treatment for breast cancer. There are two types of surgery: lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Lumpectomy

In lumpectomy, only part of the affected breast is removed. This conserves part of the breast but is only suitable for small, localised, early-stage breast cancer.

Radiation therapy is offered after lumpectomy to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the preserved breast.

Mastectomy 

In mastectomy, the surgeon removes the whole breast. Sometimes, the lymph nodes under the arm are removed too.

Radiation therapy may also be offered after mastectomy to significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy utilizes high energy radiation to kill the remaining cancer cells at the original cancer site.

The treatment typically lasts between 3 days to 4 weeks depending on the type of radiation therapy offered.

Common side effects include redness, dryness, soreness, and swelling. The degree and intensity vary among patients. However, the good news is that these side effects are often temporary and can be managed effectively.

Types of Radiation Therapy

1. Whole Breast Radiation Therapy (WBRT): Radiation to the whole breast
2. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI): Radiation targeted to only the affected area where the tumour was removed
3. Lymph Node Radiation Therapy: Radiation to the lymph nodes

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs that are often administered through injection. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to all parts of the body. 

It is often given in cycles where each cycle comprises a treatment period followed by a recovery period. 

All in all, the duration of chemotherapy may last between 3-6 months depending on the patient’s needs.

Conclusion

Early detection through screening mammograms and breast ultrasounds is the key to surviving breast cancer – it is highly recommended that women aged between 40 to 49 years old consider an annual breast screening while women aged 50 years old and above go for breast screening once every two years.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to decide among treatment options can be daunting. Hence, have a clear discussion with your doctor about the treatment options available for your type and stage of cancer. Your doctor will explain the benefits and risks of each treatment and formulate the best treatment approach for you.