Breast Cancer Treatments in Singapore – Research Discovery

Breast Cancer in Singapore

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Singapore, according to the National Cancer Registry, accounting for close to 30% of cancer cases diagnosed between 2015-2019. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women (17.1% of all cancer-related deaths). It is estimated that around 1 out of every 13 women in Singapore will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. Researchers have made a discovery that may lead to a higher proportion of successful breast cancer treatments in Singapore.

Singapore Researchers Discover Biomarkers In Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer

In a press release published 16 Aug 22, the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine announced a significant discovery by team of researchers led by Assistant Professor Minh Le from the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Associate Professor Andrew Grimson from Cornell University. This study was done also in collaboration with Associate Professor Victor Lee, Senior Consultant from the Department of Pathology, National University Hospital.

The researchers found that extracellular vesicles (which are particles secreted by tumour cells), displayed a high level of protein integrins αv and β1, in patients who have locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. Metastasis of breast cancer is the spread of cancer cells from the initial forming location in the breast to others part of the body.

How Is This Discovery Significant?

This discovery is significant as it could lead to improvements in the early diagnosis and detection of metastatic breast cancer. The earlier it is detected, the earlier appropriate treatment can be administered. This is important as current treatment options do not have a good chance of curing advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

Early detection of breast cancer metastasis enables treatment to start earlier. In Singapore (2019), 12.6% of breast cancer cases were diagnosed at Stage III, and 10.9% were diagnosed at Stage IV. We look forward to seeing the discovery leading to lower proportions of late stage breast cancer detection, and a higher percentage of successful breast cancer treatments in Singapore in the future.