Common cancers in Singapore

Cancer affects men and women differently, but several cancers continue to dominate the local landscape. According to the Singapore Cancer Society, the top cancers affecting men in Singapore are prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. Among women, breast cancer is the most common, followed by colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

Prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men, with risk increasing significantly after age 50. At the same time, cancer is no longer a disease that affects only older adults. Between 2019 and 2023, there was a 34% increase in cancer diagnoses among people under 40, highlighting the growing importance of awareness, screening, and planning earlier in life.

Cancer screening in Singapore: What to test at every age

The type and frequency of screening change as we age:

Early adulthood
As a young adult, cancer screening focuses mainly on cervical cancer for women, alongside basic health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and lifestyle factors that influence long-term cancer risk.
From your 40s
In your 40s, cancer screening usually expands to include breast cancer screening for women and colorectal cancer screening for both men and women. Managing metabolic conditions becomes more important, as obesity, diabetes, and chronic inflammation can affect cancer outcomes.
From age 50 onwards
As we age into our 50s and beyond, colorectal cancer screening becomes increasingly important, together with prostate cancer screening for men and continued breast cancer screening for women. Screening intervals and test types vary depending on personal risk, family history, genetics, and medical advice.

Beyond conventional screening, newer blood-based technologies such as liquid biopsy tests are emerging. These tests are able to detect more than 50 types of cancer at very early stages, even before symptoms appear. While not replacements for established programmes, they may complement traditional screening in selected cases under medical guidance.

How early cancer detection reduces treatment costs in Singapore

We get it, cancer is scary and sometimes ignorance really is bliss. But we need to remember that early detection does not only save lives, but it also changes the cost of cancer care dramatically.

If cancer is caught early, treatment may involve simpler surgery, fewer therapy cycles, and shorter recovery periods. In some cases, surgery alone may be sufficient, without the need for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other treatments!

Late-stage cancers, however, often require prolonged hospitalisation, repeated chemotherapy or radiotherapy, targeted or immunotherapy drugs, and coordinated multidisciplinary care. When treatment stretches over months or years, costs rise quickly, even with insurance support.

The financial impact of a cancer diagnosis

Cancer treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. These costs accumulate over time, especially when newer drugs or extended treatment is required.

Income may also be affected if you’re unable to work during treatment. Families often face added expenses for caregiving, transport, rehabilitation, and daily living.

If prescribed medications fall outside Singapore’s Cancer Drug List, they may not be claimable under standard insurance, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs.

How MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans cover cancer treatment in Singapore

MediShield Life provides baseline coverage for hospitalisation and approved cancer drug treatments within public hospital benchmarks.

Integrated Shield Plans build on this foundation by offering higher coverage limits and access to private hospitals or higher ward classes. Actual benefits depend on:

Where you receive treatment (public vs private)
Whether prescribed drugs are on the Cancer Drug List
Your insurer’s policy terms and pre-authorisation requirements

If you have employer benefits, Corporate Insurance can also be used for inpatient stays and even some outpatient specialist visits to further reduce out-of-pocket costs, after your Integrated Shield Plan has been applied.

Remember, the insurance landscape is always changing, so layering your insurance is key. Together, these layers help manage hospital bills, but they do not replace income if you need extended time off work.

How Critical Illness Insurance supports income protection

Critical Illness Insurance provides a lump-sum payout upon diagnosis, offering flexibility for non-medical expenses. There’s also Disability Income Insurance, which supports income replacement when treatment affects the ability to work.

Some insurers also offer cancer-specific riders or enhanced benefits within critical illness plans that provide additional payouts upon diagnosis, recurrence, or progression.

Here are some cancer-specific insurance plans in Singapore, including those that cover multiple claims:

Name of plan	Coverage amount (up to)	Key features
AIA Enhanced Cancer Protect	Up to $700,000	100% coverage upon first diagnosis and up to 2 major stage relapses of major cancer; can top up to increase coverage to 400% for early, intermediate and catastrophic cancer
AIA Beyond Critical Care	Up to $350,000	Covered for 43 major stage critical illnesses and 5 rediagnosed critical illnesses up to 200% of coverage amount; option to add rider
FWD Cancer 2.0 Insurance	Up to ~S$200,000 (or higher options)	100% payout for all cancer stages; multiple payouts for new or recurring late-stage cancer; early-stage benefit
FWD Big 3 Critical Illness	Up to ~S$200,000 (or higher options)	Critical illness plan covering 3 major illnesses including all stages of cancer, and late-stage heart attack and stroke; option to add rider that covers heart and neurological disorders
GREAT Cancer Care	Up to ~S$150,000	100% payout for all cancer stages; option to choose cover amount; early-stage cancer included; no multi-claim
Income Complete Cancer Care	About S$100,000 – S$150,000	Lump sum on diagnosis; can buy another life insurance plan even if diagnosed with advanced stage major cancer; future premiums waived, monthly payouts up to 1% of sum assured
MSIG CancerCare Plus	About S$100,000	Pays lump sum for major cancer, extra benefit for early-stage cancer, plan automatically renews even after payout of early-stage cancer benefit
Prudential PRUCancer 360	Up to S$300,000	Pays 100% of sum assured for all stages of cancer up till age 100
Singlife Cancer Cover Plus II	Up to S$1.5 million	Covers cancer treatments on CDL and non-CDL; outpatient cancer drug treatments and services; optional overseas treatment coverage
Singlife Multipay Critical Illness II	About S$100,000 – S$150,000	Up to 900% of sum assured
Tiq Cancer Insurance	Up to ~S$200,000	Full payout for all cancer stages, with 6% savings upon renewal of policy if no claims made

*Disclaimer: Check the latest Product Summary and Policy Wording with the insurer, as benefits and terms vary by age, underwriting outcome and optional riders.

Planning insurance coverage before diagnosis allows you and your family to focus on care decisions rather than financial pressure. And it should happen before health conditions develop or screening results change.

By combining screening awareness with appropriate insurance coverage, you can be well supported.

Know your coverage, before you need it

World Cancer Day is a good moment to review your screening schedule, understand coverage limits, and have informed conversations about long-term protection.

Combining regular screening with appropriate insurance coverage supports both physical health and financial resilience, ensuring that if cancer does occur, care decisions are guided by medical needs rather than financial constraints.

Find out how much coverage you may need using our Coverage Checker.

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