What is Cancer?

Cancer is an abnormal disorganised growth of cells in the tissues of a person. The cells multiply out of control and drain vital nutrition from the normal cells. A foetus growing in a mother’s womb is a rapid growth of cell, but unlike cancer, it is beautifully organised. Cancer is often referred to as a growth. There are 2 types of growth: benign and malignant. The benign type is more organised and not generally dangerous as opposed to malignant growth (cancer), which can spread from its original site to other areas of the body.

IS CANCER A SINGLE DISEASE?

No. Cancer is a group or class of diseases that share the main feature of uncontrolled cell growth.

WHAT CAUSES CANCER? 是什么导致癌症？

Although we are unable to identify several triggering factors (such as smoking for lung cancer, sunlight for skin cancer, and nuclear radiation for blood and other cancers), we still do not understand the how and why of what causes some cells to become malignant.

There is no hard evidence that cancer is contagious or is inherited, except for some rare cancers.

HOW LETHAL IS CANCER?

Cancer is still a leading cause of death, accounting for about 1 in 8 deaths of people under 35 and 1 in every 4 deaths of those over 45.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SITES OF CANCER?

In men: skin, lungs, prostate, bowel, kidneys, testes, bladder, stomach, pancreas
In women: skin, breast, bowel, lungs, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, stomach, pancreas
The 6 commonest causes of death from cancer are cancer of the bowel, lung, breast, prostate, bladder and skin (melanoma)

WHAT ARE THE MAIN WARNING SIGNS (COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CANCER)? 癌症的常见症状

Unusual bleeding or discharge
A lump or thickening of the breast or elsewhere
A sore that does not heal
A change in bowel or bladder habits
A persistent hoarseness or coughing
Persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
Loss of weight
A change in wart or mole

DO THESE SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS ALWAYS MEAN CANCER?

No, not always, but it is dangerous to ignore them because the earlier the treatment (if cancer is the cause) the greater the chance of recovery. Unusual bleeding should always be treated very seriously. If you have any these listed symptoms or any trouble that persists longer than a month, see a doctor- to be on the safe side. It probably will not be cancer- but whatever it is should be cured!

Learn what is Cancer, Skin Cancer-Types, Causes & Prevention, Melanomas Explained & Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy.

What is Cancer?

Skin Cancer - Types, Causes & Prevention

Melanomas Explained

Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy

Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / PCR COVID Testing / Serology Tests for Travellers & Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

David Agus: A new strategy in the war against cancer

Traditionally, David Agus explains, cancer treatments have had a short-sighted focus on the offending individual cells. He suggests a new, cross-disciplinary approach, using atypical drugs, computer modeling and protein analysis to treat and analyze the whole body.

IS PAIN AN EARLY SIGN OF CANCER?

No, not usually. Pain is usually a very late symptom of cancer, when it has grown into the nerves. People often think that persistent pain such as headache and back pain means cancer, but this is rarely the case. However, pain should not be ignored.

CAN CANCER BE CURED?

Once cancer has spread (metastasis), cures are very exceptional, but many cancers if detected and treated early (before the malignant cells have spread) can usually be completely cured. The cure rate for many cancers is steadily improving, particularly cancer of the cervix, testes, skin, large bowel, lymph glands (lymphoma) and blood (leukaemia).

WHAT ARE THE METHODS USED TO TREAT CANCER?

There are many methods used to treat cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy (special drugs to destroy fast growing cells), radiotherapy, laser therapy, and cryotherapy and hormone therapy. The specialist will choose the most effective treatment for the particular cancer. It is best not to delay treatment while you try ‘quack cures’, but there is certainly a place for ‘whole person’ treatment. Some patients find benefit from mediation, good nutrition and vitamin therapy in addition to specialised treatment.

HOW MAY CANCER BE PREVENTED?

Some areas worth considering (based on studies of communities where cancer is rare) are:

Do not smoke
Have a healthy diet including vegetables, fruit and fish
Avoid exposure to harmful sun (use a hat, long sleeves and block out lotion)
Be relaxed- avoid stress and anxiety; practise meditation
Avoid exposure to radioactivity and asbestos

Other than this, screening measures for the early detection include:

2 yearly pap smear up to the age of 70
Regular mammography for women over 50
Regular breast or testicular self-examination
Bowel examination for those at risk
Regular inspection of the skin

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

William Li - Can we eat to starve cancer?

William Li presents a new way to think about treating cancer and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis, preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor. The crucial first (and best) step: Eating cancer-fighting foods that cut off the supply lines and beat cancer at its own game.

Here is a list of the Best Antioxidants and Free Radical Scavengers that you should be taking as dietary supplements daily as recommended by Dr David Perlmutter, author of 'Grain Brain':

Tumeric
DHA Omega 3
B complex vitamins (including Vitamin B12)
Vitamin C & D
Bacopa
Brocolli
Alpha-Lipoic acid 300 (ALA)
Ashwagandha
Resveratrol
Milk Thistle
Green Tea
Probiotics
Coenzyme Q10 (coq10)

These nutritional supplements reduce oxidative stress on your brain and body, thus protecting your health.

Executive Health Assessment, Screening Packages & Blood Tests:

Is a full body check-up for you, now that you have reached a certain milestone in life? Absolutely! All men and women should have a medical screening done regularly even when you feel perfectly fine. You can detect any health conditions and diseases or detect any cancer markers early, enabling you to get treatment earlier, increasing your chances of overcoming the illness.

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

What is Leukemia? 什么是白血病？

How do we get Cervical Cancer?

Who is at Risk of Colon Cancer?

How a Gluten-free Diet can Improve your Chronic Illnesses

Healthy Diets for Optimal Health

The Anti - Inflammatory Diet

- Go Gluten-free

The Anti-Cancer Diet

- The Ketogenic Diet

Grow New Brain Cells

- The Neurogenesis Diet

Immune System Boosting, Anti-aging Longevity Diet

Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection

Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications

高血压
糖尿病
脑血管疾病
心血管疾病
慢性肺部疾病
慢性肾病
哮喘
失智
慢性神经系统疾病
癌症
风湿病
肥胖
抽烟
慢性血液系统疾病/血红蛋白血液疾病
肝病/乙型肝炎感染
营养不良
免疫缺陷/免疫功能低下，例如 HIV AIDS
65岁及以上的人

(Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0642-3.pdf, Dailymail.co.uk, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320003/, Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with Covid-19 in China: A Nationwide Analysis https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/03/17/13993003.00547-2020

Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

Pain Relief Management & Treatment, Vaccinations, Health Screening, COVID & Allergy Testing, Dermatology Treatments, Minor Surgical Procedures

Pain Relief Management, Treatment & Therapy

Dermatology Treatment

Allergy Testing

Minor Surgical Procedure

Health Screening / Blood Test

Vaccinations -Sinopharm / Flu / NAIS / NCIS Immunization Schedules

Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Serology Testing

Latest Influenza Vaccine

Asymptomatic patients may display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza which protects susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

a. Vaccination decreases the risk of co-infection with COVID-19.

b. Vaccination reduces the burden of respiratory illnesses in the healthcare system.

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

NAIS & NCIS - Singapore is free from vaccine-preventable diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) because of our successful immunisation progamme.

National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) Singapore @ MD International Medical Centre. Make your vaccination appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella).

Healthy Aging 健康老龄化

Healthy Brain Aging

Elderly Health

Women's health

Child Health

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services available:

General Practice Family Medicine - Illnesses & Infections
Minor Surgical Procedures
IV Infusion of Medications
Respiratory Medicine - Influenza, Colds, Cough, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), Sinus Infection
Treatment of Gastric issues, Stomach aches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Heartburn
Infectious diseases & Virology - COVID-19, Dengue, Flu, Hepatitis B etc
Dermatology - Skin Problems (Eczema, Acne, Rash, Boils, Dermatitis, Pigmented or Dry Skin, Moles /Skin Tags /Wart Removal)
Dermoscopy - Non-invasive Detection of Skin Cancer, Pubic lice & Scabies
Treatment of Insect Bites & Stings
Look Younger - Botox injections
Eye Health / Ophthalmology - Conjunctivitis, Foreign body in the Eye etc
Respiratory Medicine - Cough, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) - Ear Wax Removal, Ear Otitis Enterna, Nose Bleed-Epistaxis, Snoring & Sleep Apnoea, Vertigo & Dizziness, Audiogram (Hearing test)
Pain Management, Treatment & Therapy - Arthritis, Back & Joint Pain, Migraine, Gout
Sports Medicine - Treatment of Sports Injuries
Vaccinations / Immunization - Latest Flu vaccine, Sinopharm COVID Vaccine & Booster
Travel Health - Travel Vaccinations & Health checks, Travellers' Diarrhoea
Allergy tests / Allergic Rhinitis / Asthma Management
Health Screening / Blood tests
Management of Chronic Diseases - Treating Prediabetes, Diabetes & Insulin Resistance / Hypertension
Heart Health - ECG Heart monitoring / High Cholesterol management / Chest pains
Executive Health Assessment - Pre-Employment check-up / Work Permit / Employment Pass / Employment Pass
Student Pass / Driving License Check-up
Personal Health Management - Preventative Medicine & Disease Prevention
Elderly / Senior Health
Men's Health - Erectile Dysfunction medications etc
Women's Health- Osteoporosis, Heavy Periods, Breast lumps, Urinary Tract Infection, Anaemia, Tremors
Child Health & Nutrition / Paediatrics
Obesity / Weight control & Safe Weight loss / Nutrition & Diet
Depression / Anxiety / Insomnia & Stress Management
Erectile Dysfunction medications / Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

Public Health Preparedness Clinic

National University Health System Primary Care Network

Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

MD International Medical Centre / MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

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MDIMC Medical Team

Together, Being here for you.

Doing Our Best in the COVID-19 Pandemic!

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley