Leading up to Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM), the Ostomy Association Singapore (OAS) participated in a public forum to raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer. The topics of discussion included its prevalence (colorectal cancer is the top cancer among men and women combined), prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, management and advocacy.
The OAS is extremely heartened by our partners Coloplast Singapore and Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) for bringing the panel together. The panel included of a medical expert, Dr. Chew Min Hoe, from the Society of Colorectal Surgeons, an ET Nurse Clinician, Ms Esther Thng from WOCN, a young patient advocate and the OAS President Ellil Mathiyan Lakshmanan.
Currently, there is a lack of representation from the Healthcare System. To bring about effective change to improve the lives of Singapore’s ostomate community, a concerted effort from all stakeholders is necessary. The OAS is looking to build ties with the Healthcare System such as the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Agency of Care Effectiveness (ACE) to build a workable collaborative framework. This will grant patient organisations like the OAS much-needed access to resources for capability and capacity building.
In turn, this helps the OAS change the landscape to help the most important stakeholders – the patients living with the condition and their caregivers.
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