Date: 17 May 2025

Opening Remarks by Tan Kwang Cheak, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cancer Society at SCS Women’s Health Event, 17 May 2025  

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health, Minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs, and Adviser to Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations 

Ladies and gentlemen,  

A very good morning to all of you. My name is Kwang Cheak, or KC, and I’m the chief executive at Singapore Cancer Society (SCS).  

Firstly, thank you for being here. By simply showing up on Saturday to learn about cancer, you are already taking charge of your health – I commend all of you for that.  

Taking ownership of our health is what SCS hopes to achieve through our community efforts. Whether it is through talks with doctors and cancer survivors, or events like this where we create space for conversations and trial new approaches, our goal is the same: to equip people with the knowledge and confidence to live well and stay well.    

That’s why SCS is proud to be trialling HPV self-sampling in the community today.  

Unlike a Pap or HPV test which requires a doctor to collect a sample from the cervix, HPV self-sampling allows any woman to take her own sample and have it tested for HPV. It is private, convenient and helps women screen on their own terms. We believe it could be a big step for many who hesitate to go for screenings.  

I would like to thank our partner, the Alliance for Active Action Against HPV (A4HPV), for working hard to drive HPV self-sampling efforts in Singapore and for collaborating with SCS in today’s event.  

As part of today’s trial, eligible women—aged 30 and above, who have not screened in recent years—can try self-sampling for themselves. It only takes 15 minutes, but it could make all the difference.  

We will review feedback from today to see whether self-sampling can support national efforts to boost screening rates – and whether it might be offered at our own SCS Clinic @ Bishan. 

Beyond self-sampling, do take part in today’s panel discussion and Sharing Circles. Take the opportunity to ask questions, start conversations and make the first step.   

Thank you once again for being here – and a special thank you to the People’s Association and the Tampines West Women’s Executive Committee for supporting us in this wonderful event.  

Now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce our guest-of-honour, Minister Masagos Zulkifli who will give an opening address.  

Minister, please.  

<applause>