Cancer: a consequence of living longer

Cancer is on the rise in Singapore as the consequences of modern lifestyles – including smoking and over-eating – add to the problems of an aging population, says a story in the Straits Times.

According to the latest figures available, two years ago, 12,123 people were diagnosed with cancer in Singapore, up 14.6 per cent from 10,576 in 2008.

One reason for these increasing numbers was the country’s aging population, said Soo Khee Chee, director of the National Cancer Centre Singapore, which is the state’s leading cancer treatment and research center.

“In developed countries like ours, people are living longer,” he said.

“Previously, people would die before they got cancer.”