Gastric cancer remains a significant health concern in Singapore, with approximately 500 new cases and 300 related deaths annually. Data from the Singapore Cancer Registry reveals a striking demographic pattern: the highest incidence occurs among Chinese males aged 50 and above. This age-ethnicity clustering underscores the need for targeted screening strategies within primary care. Unlike cancers with broad demographic distribution, gastric cancer allows for focused prevention efforts, particularly in high-risk groups. Despite the burden, Singapore lacks a national screening program, placing the onus on primary physicians to identify and refer at-risk individuals. Tools like GASTROClear and symptom-based assessments offer practical pathways for early detection. By understanding local epidemiology, PCPs can play a pivotal role in shifting diagnosis toward earlier stages and improving long-term outcomes.
Our Speaker
Dr. Vincent Lai
Gastroenterology
Dr. Vincent Lai is a specialist in inflammatory conditions in both gastrointestinal tract and the liver such as inflammatory bowel disease and hepatitis. Prior to this, he was a consultant in a teaching hospital before taking up a post in the liver transplant program at the National University Hospital.
Dr. Lai attained his basic medical degree from the University of Sheffield (UK). He undertook his specialist training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology in England and spent five years in Birmingham which is one of the largest liver transplant units in Europe.
He had been awarded the prestigious Medical Research Council Clinical Training Fellowship, and completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham, investigating liver immunity in viral hepatitis. He was accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board in Gastroenterology in England and was instrumental in supporting the setting up of colorectal cancer screening in Derby Hospital (UK).
Dr. Lai's specialty interests include hepatology and inflammatory conditions in both gastrointestinal tract and the liver.