Stomach screening · Singapore
Early stomach cancer often causes no symptoms, or symptoms easily mistaken for indigestion. A doctor reviews your risk first, then suggests an H. pylori test or a gastroscopy when it adds value.
Risk review first, then a direct look when it adds value.
Stomach cancer screening aims to find stomach cancer, and the conditions that raise its risk, before symptoms appear. It starts with a doctor's review of your family history, any Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, stomach conditions, smoking, diet and symptoms. Depending on your risk, the next step may be an H. pylori test, or a gastroscopy that examines the stomach lining directly and allows a biopsy.
Screening is not the same for everyone. Black stools, vomiting blood, difficulty swallowing, anaemia or unexplained weight loss need prompt assessment rather than routine screening. Blood tumour markers do not replace a gastroscopy and biopsy when a suspicious area needs a diagnosis.
At Fusion Medical, our doctors review your risk and symptoms, arrange a gastroscopy when it is needed, and go through the findings and any biopsy results with you.
The assessment pathway
Each test answers a different part of the question. A risk review identifies family, infection, lifestyle and symptom factors but cannot see the stomach lining. An H. pylori test detects a current infection. A gastroscopy examines the lining directly, and a biopsy of any abnormal area confirms the diagnosis.
A doctor's review of your risk
Your doctor asks about:
Testing for H. pylori
H. pylori is a bacterial infection of the stomach and an important risk factor for stomach cancer. A test shows whether you have a current infection; it does not examine the stomach lining or diagnose cancer. The test method and some medicines, such as acid-suppressing medicines and antibiotics, can affect the result, so follow your doctor's advice on medicines before the test and do not stop any on your own.
A direct look at the stomach
A thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed through the mouth to examine the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small bowel. Small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken from any abnormal area. You fast beforehand and, if you have sedation, follow the escort and driving advice you are given.
Where blood tests fit
Some blood tests look for markers linked to stomach cancer. A raised result needs a gastroscopy to find the cause, and a normal result does not rule out cancer. Blood markers do not replace a gastroscopy and biopsy.
Who it's for
A risk discussion can help if you have a close relative with stomach cancer, a previous H. pylori infection, chronic gastritis, stomach polyps or other recognised risk factors. Persistent or worrying symptoms need a diagnostic assessment rather than screening.
Vomiting blood or passing black stools? Seek medical care promptly.
Stomach cancer in a parent, brother, sister or child is a reason to review your risk.
A current or past infection, how it was treated and whether clearance was confirmed all matter.
Chronic gastritis, stomach polyps, pernicious anaemia or previous stomach disease.
Persistent indigestion, upper abdominal pain, reflux or nausea needs a clinical assessment.
Bleeding, anaemia, weight loss, difficulty swallowing or repeated vomiting need prompt diagnosis, not screening.
Your assessment, step by step
Your doctor reviews your symptoms, risk factors and any previous stomach tests, and examines you.
Together you decide on an H. pylori test, a gastroscopy or another route, only where it adds value.
Follow the fasting, medicine, escort and sedation instructions for your test exactly.
Your doctor explains the findings, any biopsy results, treatment and follow-up.
Safety & expectations
What a gastroscopy shows guides the next step. Tissue confirms the diagnosis.
After a gastroscopy you may have a sore throat or bloating for a short while. Biopsy results take longer and are reviewed with you. Severe pain, fever, breathlessness, vomiting blood or black stools after a procedure need urgent medical attention.
Fusion Medical offers stomach cancer risk assessment at Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road. Our doctors review your symptoms, family history and H. pylori history, and advise whether an H. pylori test or a gastroscopy suits you. If you need a gastroscopy, your doctor arranges it and goes through the findings and any biopsy results with you.
People with ongoing symptoms, a close relative with stomach cancer, a previous H. pylori infection, chronic gastritis, stomach polyps or other recognised risk factors may benefit from a doctor's review. A diet high in salted, smoked or pickled foods and low in fruit and vegetables, and smoking, also raise the risk.
No. An H. pylori test detects an infection that is an important risk factor for stomach cancer, but it does not examine the stomach lining or diagnose cancer. If the test is positive, your doctor discusses treatment and whether you need further tests, such as a gastroscopy.
A gastroscopy examines the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and first part of the small bowel using a thin, flexible tube with a camera, passed through the mouth. It lets the doctor see the lining directly and take a small tissue sample (biopsy) from any abnormal area. Afterwards, a sore throat or bloating may last for a short time.
No. Blood tumour markers do not replace a direct examination and biopsy when a suspicious stomach lesion needs a diagnosis. A raised marker needs a gastroscopy to find the cause, and a normal result does not rule out stomach cancer. Your doctor explains what any marker in your results means for you.
Black stools, vomiting blood, difficulty swallowing that is getting worse, persistent vomiting, anaemia or unexplained weight loss should be assessed promptly. Ongoing indigestion or heartburn, upper abdominal pain, feeling full after small meals, nausea or loss of appetite also deserve a doctor's review. These symptoms can have causes other than cancer, but they need a diagnosis rather than routine screening.
Follow the fasting, medicine, escort and sedation instructions from the endoscopy service exactly. Tell your doctor about blood thinners, diabetes medicines, acid-suppressing medicines and supplements, but do not stop any medicine unless you are told to. If you have sedation, arrange for someone to take you home.
Keeping a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, not smoking and not eating large amounts of salted, smoked or pickled foods may lower your risk. If you have had an H. pylori infection, ask your doctor whether clearance was confirmed after treatment.
Our doctors
Appointments
Book a consultation at Wheelock Place. Our doctors review your symptoms and history, then advise whether an H. pylori test or a gastroscopy is worth doing.
