SINGAPORE TAKES ON CANCER WITH INNOVATIVE STREAK

Although 2020 was more focused on finding solutions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, it also pushed the boundaries of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Researchers across Asia have continued to make meaningful strides against cancer in 2020. One such remarkable example is that of Singapore. The scientific community across the country is setting new examples of innovation by focusing majorly on two aspects- chemotherapy and immunotherapy, to fight this deadly disease. While the socioeconomic burden inflicted by cancer is inevitable, Singapore’s innovative streak for developing effective treatment of cancer is set to mitigate this socioeconomic impact, and help patients maintain their quality of life, and remain productive.

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

Worldwide, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10 million cancer deaths occurred in 2020, as per the GLOBOCAN 2020 report. Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7 per cent), followed by lung (11.4 per cent), colorectal (10 per cent), prostate (7.3 per cent), and stomach (5.6 per cent) cancers. The global cancer burden is expected to be 28.4 million cases in 2040, a 47 per cent rise from 2020.

For both sexes combined, one-half of all cases and 58.3 per cent of cancer deaths are estimated to occur in Asia in 2020, where 59.5 per cent of the global population resides. In contrast to other regions, the share of cancer deaths in Asia (58.3 per cent) and Africa (7.2 per cent) are higher than the share of incidence (49.3 per cent and 5.7 per cent, respectively) because of the different distribution of cancer types and higher case fatality rates in these regions.

Although 2020 was more focused on finding solutions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, it pushed the boundaries of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Researchers across Asia have continued to make meaningful strides against cancer in 2020. One such remarkable example is that of Singapore.

Due to the innovations arising within the region as well as the world-renowned healthcare system that the country boasts, Singapore attracts a myriad of medical professionals, academic researchers and healthcare-focused companies.