Screening for Colorectal Cancer | KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Singapore. Colorectal cancer usually arises from growths on the inner walls of the colon and rectum, known as polyps.

DID YOU KNOW?

Colorectal cancer can present with the following symptoms though it may have no symptoms in the early stages. The symptoms include:

Change in bowel habits
Tummy pain or discomfort
Blood in stools
Tummy lump

See a doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.

How to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer?

Avoid certain food such as processed meat, red meat, meat cooked at high temperatures and animal fat.
Increase your fibre intake. Click here to learn how to reduce your risk of chronic diseases through diet.
Avoid smoking.
Avoid excessive alcohol.
Exercise regularly.
Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI).

How to detect colorectal cancer early?

For a woman with no symptoms and no risk factors such as a significant family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, personal history of inflammatory bowel diseases etc., screening can start at 50 years old.

Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) can be done once a year or a colonoscopy every 10 years.

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The Later Years (≥50 years old)

Start colorectal cancer screening from 50 years old

For more information on screening for colorectal cancer, visit https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/106/screening_colorectal_cancer