Cancer poses the largest medical threat to Singaporeans: survey

However, only a third opt for early prevention and diagnosis tests.

Developing cancer constitutes the biggest medical worry for both male and female Singaporeans followed by heart attacks (51%) and diabetes (44%), according to a survey by medical management solution provider Medix.

Against such growing medical worries, Singaporeans are encouraged to take greater control over their health but are hampered by the lack of information about possible preventive measures as the survey revealed that only 58% believe that their GP is providing them with sufficient information whilst around 14% admitted to going online for medical recommendations.

“There is a clear demand for more information around the options available when it comes to healthcare in Singapore,” Sigal Atzmon, CEO of Medix said in a statement.

Also read: Singapore dethroned by Hong Kong as having the world's most efficient healthcare system: Bloomberg

With little information to go by, less than half of Singaporeans actually undergo cancer-related prevention and diagnosis tests with only 37% of female respondents undergoing breast exams or pap spears. Similarly, a measly 29% undergo liver function tests whilst 21% undergo thyroid function tests.

Worryingly, four in ten admitted to combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine to treat cancer, a move which may incur potentially negative side effects without appropriate medical supervision.

“For example, Asian Ginseng is used in Chinese medicine to prevent cancer and restore strength. However, this induces the activity of CYP3A in the liver, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of many proven chemotherapy drugs,” professor David Zeltser, Global Medical Director at Medix said in a statement..