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Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer - How to prevent?

Regular screening is the best way to detect colorectal polyps or cancer early. In Singapore, the recommended age of screening for colorectal cancer is 50 years old for individuals with no symptoms. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer are advised to start screening earlier. Speak with your healthcare provider who will be able to do a risk assessment and advise you on screening recommendations. 

Routine screening tests include: 
  • Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) (yearly) 
    • Blood in the stool may be an early sign of colorectal cancer. FIT is used to detect the presence of human blood in the stool. If blood is found, additional tests would be performed to evaluate the source of bleeding and the presence of cancer. 
  • Colonoscopy (every 5-10 years) 
    • During this procedure the colon and rectum are examined using a special flexible camera inserted through the anus. It allows the removal of small polyps and biopsy of any abnormal areas.


In addition to regular screening, a healthy lifestyle may help to prevent colorectal cancer and includes: 
  • Eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains 
  • Limiting the consumption of red meat and processed meats 
  • Quitting or not starting smoking 
  • Limiting alcohol consumption 
  • Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight

Our Care Team

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Claramae Chia Shulyn Clin Assoc Prof

Clin Assoc Prof Claramae Chia Shulyn

Senior Consultant

 MBBS (S'pore), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edin)

Clinical Interests: Upper Gastrointestinal, Colorectal, Peritoneal-based Malignancies, Sarcoma, Skin & Melanoma, Gastrointestinal, Gastrointestinal Oncology, General Surgery, Melanoma, Pelvic & Peritoneal, Sarcoma/Skin

Emile John Tan Kwong Wei  Prof

Prof Emile John Tan Kwong Wei

Head & Senior Consultant

​BSc (Hons), MBBS (London), MD (Research)(Imperial College London), FRCS (General/Colorectal) UK

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Disease of the Anus, Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Surgery – Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery

Cherylin Fu Clin Asst Prof

Clin Asst Prof Cherylin Fu

Senior Consultant

MBBS, MRCSEd, MMed (Surg), FRCSEd (Gen Surg)

Clinical Interests: Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME), Pelvic Floor Disorders, Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction, Advanced Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery

Chang Meihuan Dr

Dr Chang Meihuan

Senior Consultant

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surg), FRCS (Ed)

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Proctology, Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Surgery – Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery

Isaac Seow-En Dr

Dr Isaac Seow-En

Senior Consultant

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh)

Clinical Interests: Surgery & Surgical Oncology

Ong Chin-Ann Johnny Assoc Prof

Assoc Prof Ong Chin-Ann Johnny

Senior Consultant

MBBS (S'pore), MRCS (Ed), M Med (Surgery), FRCS (Ed), PhD (Cambridge)

Clinical Interests: Peritoneal-based Malignancies, Sarcoma, Skin & Melanoma, Colorectal, Gastrointestinal, Gastrointestinal Oncology, General Surgery, Gynae-Oncology, Lymphoma (DMO, DRO), Melanoma, Pelvic & Peritoneal, Sarcoma/Skin, Supportive & Palliative Care, Upper Gastrointestinal

Tang Choong Leong Assoc Prof

Assoc Prof Tang Choong Leong

Senior Consultant

MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surg), FRCS (Ed), FAMS

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Proctology, Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Surgery – Laparoscopic Surgery

Koo  Chee Hoe Dr

Dr Koo Chee Hoe

Consultant

​MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Ed)

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Proctology, Endoscopy

Lin Wenjie Dr

Dr Lin Wenjie

Consultant

​MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Ed)

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Proctology, Endoscopy

Lionel  Raphael Chen Hui Dr

Dr Lionel Raphael Chen Hui

Consultant

​MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Ed)

Clinical Interests: Colorectal Surgery, Proctology, Endoscopy

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