Singapore – The number of new cancer cases has increased here in recent years, but the number of cancer deaths has decreased.

Cancer mortality rates have decreased by 21 per cent since 2012, according to data from the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2023, published by the National Disease Registry in January 2026.

The number of cancer deaths per 100,000 people from 2019 to 2023 was 72, down from 91 from 2008 to 2012, but the five-year survival rate increased from 53% to 61%.

This is despite an approximately 10% increase in the number of people diagnosed with cancer between the two periods, with 244 new cancer diagnoses per 100,000 people between 2019 and 2023, up from 222 in the previous five years.

Between 2019 and 2023, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men was prostate cancer, with 8,114 cases, followed by colorectal cancer and lung cancer. For women, breast cancer was the most common, followed by colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

Most cancer deaths in men were from lung, colorectal, and liver cancers, and most cancer deaths in women and girls were from breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Tam Chee Kian, vice-chairman of the medical oncology department at the National Cancer Center Singapore, said the decline in deaths was due to medical advances in cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.

These include improved screening programs and diagnostic techniques that allow cancer to be detected at an earlier, more treatable stage, he said.

Clinical Associate Professor Tam points out that this decline reflects global trends in developed countries.

According to data from the American Cancer Society, cancer deaths have decreased by 34% in the United States over the past 30 years.

“With early detection of cancer and advances in cancer treatment, mortality rates are likely to continue to decline,” he said.

Dr Gloria Chan, consultant in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the National University of Singapore’s Cancer Research Institute, pointed out that modern chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapies are improving disease control even in late-stage cancers.

“Precision medicine and molecular profiling will allow us to more accurately select treatments and avoid ineffective treatments,” she said.

Cancer patients now also enjoy safer surgical techniques, more precise radiation treatments, and better supportive care, Dr. Chan added.

“We can now more effectively manage complications such as infections, malnutrition, pain and treatment side effects. As a result, treatment-related deaths are reduced and patients can continue effective treatment for longer,” she said.

“As Singapore’s population ages and people live longer, the number of cancer cases is also increasing as the risk of cancer increases with age,” Professor Tam said.

He cautioned that this does not suggest that young people do not need to worry about cancer.

The Straits Times reported on January 26th. Cancer diagnoses among people under 40 increase by 34% Figures from 2003 to 2007 for the period 2019 to 2023.

“Young people should not ignore any unusual or worrying symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, lumps or swelling, or pain that persists, and should seek immediate medical attention,” Professor Tam said.

Dr Chan said there is now a global effort to better understand why more young people are developing cancer.

“At the same time, we must prepare for the long-term survival needs of young patients, including fertility, career interruption, mental health, and economic impacts,” she added.

Dr. Chan noted rapid advances in cancer research and treatment and said he was “cautiously optimistic” that cancer deaths would continue to decline.

“Public health measures will continue to be just as important. The full benefits of reduced smoking rates and vaccinations such as HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis B may take many years to realize, but they will have a significant long-term impact,” she said.

“Major challenges ahead include tackling obesity, reducing exposure to harmful environments, and addressing cost and access barriers to ensure effective cancer treatments reach everyone who needs them.”