Doctors Warn of Hidden Cancer Risks but Caution Against Excessive or Unproven Tests

Why It Matters

It stresses the need for symptom‑driven vigilance and evidence‑based screening, preventing late‑stage diagnoses and curbing wasteful, anxiety‑inducing tests.

Key Takeaways

• Early symptoms like blood in urine demand prompt medical evaluation.
• No global screening exists for urothelial cancer, making detection hard.
• Over‑testing unproven methods raises costs and causes anxiety.
• Evidence‑based screening improves survival, with up to 90% benefit.
• Singapore sees 40% rise in cancer checkups post‑pandemic.

Summary

Doctors are warning that hidden cancers, such as urothelial bladder cancer, often go undetected because no standard screening exists. The recent death of 45‑year‑old marathoner Eugene Lim, who experienced brown urine for years before a stage‑4 diagnosis, underscores the danger of relying solely on routine checks.

Experts note that seven in ten cancer deaths stem from cancers lacking recommended screening programs, including pancreatic, liver, bladder, and ovarian cancers. Studies show many kidney cancers are discovered incidentally, and risk factors like obesity and smoking heighten vulnerability. Without a global screening test for urothelial cancer, physicians must rely on symptom vigilance.

Professor Raendran highlighted the rarity of urothelial cancer in younger patients, while Dr. Tan stressed that evidence‑based screening can boost survival rates by up to 90 %. Singapore’s hospitals report a 40 % surge in cancer checkups post‑COVID, yet clinicians caution against over‑testing with unvalidated commercial kits that generate false positives and unnecessary anxiety.

The takeaway is a delicate balance: encourage prompt medical evaluation of persistent symptoms, adhere to government‑endorsed screening schedules, and avoid costly, unproven tests. This approach protects patients’ health while preserving finite healthcare resources.

Original Description

Doctors are urging the public to seek medical advice when abnormal symptoms arise, following the death of local marathoner Eugene Lim. Despite early warning signs, his bladder cancer went undetected until it reached an advanced stage. Experts say some cancers lack reliable screening tests, making early diagnosis difficult. Cancer screenings in Singapore have risen sharply, with some hospitals reporting up to 40% increase over the past year. However, doctors have warned against excessive or unproven tests. They say over-testing can lead to unnecessary costs, false positives and anxiety among patients. Muhammad Bahajjaj reports.