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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Singapore women and about 1300 women are diagnosed with the cancer annually.* Women of all the 3 major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay and Indian) are equally affected.
Significantly, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing at an average of 3% annually. Women of all age groups are affected but are more common in women above 40 years old.
The incidence rate of breast cancer in Singapore is about one-third of that of American women and half that of European women. It is estimated that an American woman has a 12% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. In Singapore this chance is lower, estimated at 4 to 5%.
* The Straits Times, October 4, 2008 “Breast cancer is now top cancer-killer in Singapore”
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