Prostate Cancer Screening in Singapore

Prostate cancer screening isn't automatic — it's a shared decision between you and your doctor, based on your age, family history, and preferences. Most guidelines recommend discussing screening from age 50, or from age 45 if you have a first-degree family history of prostate cancer. Dr Joel will talk through the benefits and limitations so you can decide what's right for you.

Most men consider screening from age 50. If you have a first-degree relative (father or brother) who had prostate cancer — particularly at a young age — starting from age 45 is reasonable. Screening typically continues up to about age 70–75, depending on overall health, after which the benefits usually don't outweigh the risks of overdiagnosis.

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen — a protein made by prostate cells. A blood test measures the level in your bloodstream. Raised PSA can suggest prostate cancer, but also has non-cancer causes including benign prostate enlargement, inflammation or infection, recent ejaculation, and certain medications. This is why interpretation matters more than the number alone.

A digital rectal examination (DRE) is sometimes performed alongside the PSA test. It takes a few seconds — the doctor feels the prostate through the rectal wall to check for lumps, firmness or asymmetry. Many clinics now rely primarily on PSA with MRI for further assessment when needed, but DRE is still offered as part of a thorough evaluation. You can decline it if you prefer.

A raised PSA doesn't mean you have cancer. Most men with a high PSA don't turn out to have prostate cancer — it's often due to benign enlargement, infection or inflammation. Dr Joel will usually repeat the test to rule out a transient cause, and may suggest a multiparametric MRI of the prostate to decide whether a biopsy is needed. The pathway from "high PSA" to "cancer diagnosis" usually has several steps.

Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all — which is precisely why screening matters. When symptoms do appear, they may include difficulty passing urine, a weaker urine stream, needing to go more often (especially at night), pelvic discomfort, blood in the urine or semen, or new erectile difficulties. Most of these symptoms are actually caused by benign prostate enlargement rather than cancer, but any of them warrant a check with your doctor.

Not painful. The PSA blood test is a standard blood draw — a brief pinch, nothing more. A digital rectal examination (DRE), if done, can feel mildly uncomfortable but takes only a few seconds. A transrectal ultrasound or prostate MRI is usually well-tolerated. If anxiety about discomfort is holding you back, let Dr Joel know at the consultation — many men are surprised at how quick and straightforward the assessment actually is.

Screening reduces the number of men who die from prostate cancer, but it also detects slow-growing cancers that may never cause harm. This can lead to unnecessary biopsies and treatment (surgery, radiation) that carry their own risks — incontinence, erectile difficulties. This is why international guidelines emphasise informed, individualised decision-making rather than blanket screening of all men.

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Singaporean men. Incidence has been rising, partly due to ageing and partly due to wider testing. Singaporean men tend to have lower incidence than Western populations but the condition remains an important one to discuss, particularly from age 50 or earlier in men with a family history.

Selected screening tests are supported under Singapore's Healthier SG Screening programme (formerly Screen for Life), which offers subsidised screening for eligible citizens and PRs. Outside of the programme, PSA tests and consultations are typically self-pay or claimable under applicable CHAS benefits. Dr Joel's team can confirm eligibility before you book.

Consultation at Dr Joel Foo's Jurong clinic starts from $49.05, with the PSA blood test and any additional investigations charged separately. Final cost depends on the tests ordered and whether any follow-up imaging or biopsy referral is needed. WhatsApp 8893 3757 for the latest rates.