What Are The Subsidised Screenings Under Singapore’s National Screen For Life Programme?

What Is Screen For Life?

Screen For Life is a national programme that provides subsidised health screenings to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) based on age and gender. Screen For Life encourages Singapore citizens and permanent residents to screen regularly and to go for follow-ups. It is aimed at promoting early detection and management of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.  

What Type Of Health Screenings Are Supported Under Screen For Life?

The types of health screenings supported under Screen For Life can generally be categorised under the following:

Chronic Diseases: This includes screening for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. Included are fasting blood glucose tests, BMI measurements, blood pressure tests, and lipid profiling.

Cancer Screening: This includes breast cancer screening (mammogram) for women aged 50 and above, cervical cancer for women aged 18 and above, and colorectal cancer screening for both men and women aged 50 and above.

Diabetes Screening

For people aged 39 years and younger, you can do an online Diabetes Risk Assessment (DRA) test. You may qualify for subsidised diabetes screening if the DRA assessment shows you to be at higher risk for developing diabetes. People aged 40 years and above are automatically considered “higher risk” for diabetes as the risks increase with age. There is no need to take the DRA assessment and you can go to your nearest clinic and request a screening for diabetes if you meet the other eligibility criteria.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

For colorectal cancer, men and women aged 50 years and above are advised to go for screening once a year.

Breast Cancer Screening

For women aged 50 years and above that show no symptoms of breast cancer, it is recommended for you get a mammogram for breast cancer screening once every two years.

Cervical Cancer Screening

For women between 25 to 29 years old who have had sex before, you are recommended to go for a pap smear screening once every three years. Meanwhile, for women aged 30 years and above, a HPV test is recommended to be done once every five years.

Why Do I Need To Go For Health Screening?

Regular health screening can help your doctor detect if you are suffering from, or are at risk of developing chronic diseases or cancer. Any abnormalities detected via screening can then be looked into further with other diagnostic tests. Early intervention can prevent diseases and conditions from developing, or may help make it easier to treat conditions that have already developed.

Eligibility For Subsidies Under Screen For Life And Where To Go

You can check for your edibility for subsidy support at Healthhub using this link. Subsidised screening under Screen For Life is available at CHAS GP clinics – located one near you with this clinic locator tool. As you may need to prepare for your screenings, you are recommended to first make an appointment with your preferred CHAS GP clinic.

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