We can agree unanimously that health and medical help is on top of our minds right now.

At a time when health is a priority, it’s good to be aware of how much you can be expected to spend when you step out for a screening. Strangely, though, health screenings in Singapore have a reputation for being costly because we’re used to the narrative that all things medical on our tiny island is expensive. Frankly, the reality is quite the opposite.

There are plenty of healthcare providers offering a myriad of health screening packages in Singapore ranging from truly affordable to unnecessarily extravagant. We uncover some surprising truths about how much health screenings cost in Singapore.

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The importance of health screenings

According to Mount Alvernia Hospital, medical check-ups are important because it helps you to find out if you have any underlying health conditions that you may not be aware of.

Early detection, followed by treatment and good control of the condition can result in better outcomes and lowers the risk of serious complications. Certain chronic diseases such as diabetes take time to develop and, if detected early, can be better managed with fewer complications and improved long-term outcomes.

One example is cancer. Cancer starts small and by the time a patient feels pain, bloated or an obvious lump, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage and it may be too late.

How often should you go for health screening?

Many factors come into play with the regularity of your health screenings, depending on your age, health risk, as well as gender.

The general rule of thumb is to have a full body check-up once every year. Having no health conditions found at your last screening does not mean that there are no issues presently.

Some diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus and cancer are more likely to develop with age and may come suddenly. Doing regular health screening is important as early detection is necessary to nip the problem in the bud.

If you’re 18 and above, it’s time for yearly medical check-ups

A health screening is recommended to anyone and everyone aged 18 and above. Here are the suggested screening tests by age:

Individuals aged 18 and above

Obesity Screening test: Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference Frequency: Once a year

Hypertension (High blood pressure) Screening test: Blood pressure measurement Frequency: Once every two years or more frequently as advised by your doctor

Individuals aged 40 and above ​

Diabetes mellitus Screening test: Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c​​ Frequency: Once every three years or more frequently as advised by your doctor ​

​Hyperlipidaemia (High blood cholesterol)Screening test: Fasting lipids, non-fasting lipids Frequency: Once every three years or more frequently as advised by your doctor ​

Individuals aged 50 and above ​

Colorectal cancerScreening test: ​Faecal Immunochemical Test (to test for blood in stools) or ​colonoscopy Frequency: Once a year for Faecal Immunochemical Test and once every 10 years for colonoscopy

Women aged 25 to 69 years, who have had sexual intercourse ​

Cervical cancer Screening test: ​​Pap test (for 25 to 29 years old) Frequency: Once every three years

Screening test: ​HPV test (for 30 years old and above) Frequency: Once every five years

Women aged 50 to 69 years

​Breast cancer Screening test: Mammogram Frequency: Once every two years

Other types of health screening available in Singapore

Generally speaking, health screenings can be grouped into two types — standalone health screenings that attempt to create a snapshot of a person’s overall health, and medical procedures to screen for specific conditions.

Standalone health screenings are offered in many levels — from a basic health check involving a few factors to comprehensive events that cover more ground and utilise more tests and procedures. Needless to say, the more involved the screening, the costlier the package tends to be.

On the other hand, if you or your healthcare provider wants to focus on a specific condition, you may then undergo a specialised health screening that offers a more in-depth look.

What happens during your health screening?

At its very basic, you will undergo these procedures during your health check-up in Singapore:

• A medical health assessment by a qualified physician to discuss potential risks arising from medical history and lifestyle.

• A physical examination that includes taking your height, weight, BMI and testing your vision

• A blood glucose test to ascertain risk of diabetes, which is performed after fasting

• A blood cholesterol test to check for unhealthy cholesterol levels associated heart disease risks

Typical health screening packages go further than the four basis tests above. This is purely with the aim of giving your healthcare provider a more complete picture of your health status. As such, you may encounter additional tests and procedures such as:

• A blood pressure test to check for healthy blood pressure levels

• An ECG (electrocardiogram) to determine if your hearty activity is normal and to detect certain heart conditions

• A full blood count to determine if you suffer from anemia

• A urine analysis to determine proper kidney function

• A chest X-ray to check for lung problems  

How long does health screening take?

Basic four tests will take around two hours while a comprehensive, full body check-up can take up to four hours.

As every individual is different and the tests required would depend on your personal needs, there is no specific number of tests in a full body check-up and it really depends on which package you select based on your needs.

Where can I go for a health screening?

With Singapore’s highly developed medical services market, it is no surprise that there are plenty of options available to those looking for a health check-up. Generally speaking, there are four channels you can look towards, depending on your needs:

• Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner (GP) clinics

• Private clinics

• Public hospitals

• Private hospitals

How much do health screenings cost at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner (GP) clinics?

Private clinics are another viable source for getting a health screen done, not least because of the very attractive rates some packages are priced at. You can have a full health screen done for as little as S$48, although it appears a price range of around S$200 to S$350 is more typical.

Some clinics may also be perceived to offer a more personal and supportive environment compared to, say, a busy hospital.

Health screening packages for women cost significantly more at at least one clinic, and the more comprehensive the screening (which usually involves more tests), the higher the cost of the package.

If you’re confused as to which package to pick, it’s best to talk to your doctor, who will make recommendations according to your needs and expectations.  

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