24 February 2025, Singapore

MEDIA RELEASE
Dear Editor,

SINGAPORE CANCER SOCIETY RALLIES THE “KAMPUNG” TO FIGHT CANCER AT CAMPUNG FESTIVAL 2025

Held in conjunction with World Cancer Day, the community-driven health carnival championed early detection, prevention and community support.

 24 February 2025, Singapore – Beating cancer is a community effort, and the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) believes no one should face it alone. Inspired by the kampung spirit of unity and support, SCS launched CAmpung Festival between 22 – 23 February at Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) Outdoor Plaza as a fun, engaging outreach event.

Guest-of-honour Mr Tan Kiat How (middle), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of National Development, shares a moment with cancer survivors, volunteers, and the leadership of Singapore Cancer Society, National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCCS) and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS).

In partnership with the National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCCS) and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), the festival brought together close to 2,500 participants over two days to take part in interactive activities like energising workouts and fireside chats about leading a healthy lifestyle and understanding cancer risks. These were designed to educate, engage, and encourage Singaporeans to take charge of their health while fostering a strong support system in the fight against cancer. 

Uniting a Kampung Against Cancer

 The “CA” in CAmpung Festival stands for Cancer Awareness, underscoring the importance of equipping Singaporeans with the right knowledge and resources to prevent and detect cancer early.

Visitors to CAmpung Festival enjoyed community workouts, fireside chats, interactive booths, and dance performances cancer survivors.

Visitors to the festival had access to: 

• Fireside chats with medical experts, moderated by SCS Goodwill Ambassador and actress Bridget Fernandez 
• Free mammogram screenings 
• Human library sessions featuring personal stories from cancer survivors
• Community workouts in partnership with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) 
•  Educational booths and interactive activities by community partners, including Ain Society, Breast Cancer Foundation, F&N, HealthUP!, Healthy Workplace Ecosystem, Hey! Chips, HPB, Nanyang Technological University, SingHealth, Snap Cafe, and Yakult.
  

“We designed CAmpung Festival to be more than just an educational event; we wanted it to be an inclusive, interactive experience where people can learn, connect, and take tangible steps toward a healthier future. By coming together as a kampung, we create a powerful network of support and action that makes a real difference in beating cancer,” said Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, CEO of SCS. 

Strengthening Prevention Efforts Through Community Action

With one in four Singapore residents expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, early detection remains a critical priority.1 Yet, cancer screening rates in Singapore remain low compared to developed nations, with only 34.7 per cent of Singapore women aged 50 to 69 reported going for mammography in the last two years.²

In 2023, SCS screened over 124,000 individuals in collaboration with healthcare partners. Recognising the importance of partnerships in driving more proactive health habits among Singaporeans, SCS has strengthened its cancer prevention and control strategy to actively collaborate with the three regional health systems and leading cancer bodies, NCCS and NCIS.

Examples of such collaborations over the years include: 

• The Community Mammobus Programme, a joint effort between SCS, National Healthcare Group Diagnostics, and the Breast Cancer Foundation to make early detection more accessible. In 2024, the mammobus brought free screenings to over 2,900 women, many of whom received screenings that were potentially lifesaving. 
• • The establishment of community-based cancer rehabilitation centres in the SingHealth and National University Health System (NUHS) clusters to serve residents, with a third facility slated to open in the National Healthcare Group (NHG) cluster later this year.

Guest-of-Honour Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of National Development, Mr Tan Kiat How, said: “Partnerships have made a huge difference in cancer prevention and care, whether it is through bringing mammogram screenings closer to underserved communities, increasing education on early detection, or providing holistic support for survivors.”

Public Can Fight Back Against Cancer at Relay For Life 2025
Cancer affects not just individuals but entire families and communities. To further strengthen community action in the fight against cancer, SCS encourages participation in the Singapore Cancer Society – TalkMed Relay For Life this March. The annual overnight relay rallies the Singapore community to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember those still fighting and the loved ones lost, and to fight back against the disease.

Relay For Life 2025 aims to raise $1.3million to support SCS programmes and services, including free cancer screenings and public education efforts. While registration for the physical relay event has closed, members of the public can still contribute by taking part in the virtual My Fight Back Challenge by registering online by 7 March and pledging to do a healthy activity of their choice.

Registration for the My Fight Back Challenge and more information can be found on www.scsrelayforlife.sg. 

-END- 

For more information, please contact: 

Celine Chen Executive, Corporate Affairs celine_chen@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Jeanne Tai Corporate Affairs jeanne_tai@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

About Singapore Cancer Society
Minimising Cancer and Maximising Lives since 1964, Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is a self-funded social service agency which provides an integrated continuum of care from cancer control and prevention to patient support services, survivorship, and palliative care. SCS’s key programmes and services include cancer screening programmes, public education, financial and welfare services, psychosocial support, survivorship care, rehabilitation programmes and hospice care. Consistently recognised for its commitment to high standards in governance and transparency, SCS has attained both the coveted Charity Governance Award (2023) and the Charity Transparency Award for four years, between 2019 to 2024. For more information, please visit www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg.