Q: When will I receive my test results?

It may take around 1 – 2 weeks for the test results to be ready. Your doctor will review the results with you and advise on follow-up action, if necessary. You can also opt for online copies of the results or collect physical copies in person or via mail.

Question 1

How do I prepare for cancer screening?

Accepted Answer

Certain screening tests, such as blood tests and ultrasound scans, may require you to fast for at least 8  10 hours prior to the test. You will usually be asked to abstain from food from 12am on the day of your appointment. Drinking plain water is permitted. Our clinic staff will advise you on whether fasting is required for your tests and when you should start fasting. If you are taking the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), please collect the kit from any of our Parkway Shenton or Executive Health Screening clinics. Collect your stool sample 1 day before your appointment, and store it at room temperature away from sunlight. For females, kindly note that Pap smear, urine, blood tumour markers and stool tests should be done at least five days after your period to ensure better accuracy of results. Do inform our clinic staff if you require further assistance. If you are going for a mammogram, please do not wear any perfume, cream or cosmetics under your arms or around the chest area. For more details, please refer to our pre-screening guidelines.

Question 2

How long will the screening tests take and what should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Our cancer screening packages will take approximately 1  3 hours to complete, depending on the types of screening tests required. For blood tests, a blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm. You may feel a slight sting as the needle is inserted or removed. This test usually takes less than five minutes. Imaging tests such as ultrasound and CT scans will be done at one of our Executive Health Screening (EHS) clinics in a hospital. You may return for a follow-up appointment at your preferred Parkway Shenton or EHS clinic to review your test results with a doctor.

Question 3

Are there any risks for the screening tests?

Accepted Answer

There is very little risk associated with blood tests. You may experience slight pain or bruising at the site where the needle was inserted, but these should resolve quickly within a few days. Some imaging tests, such as mammograms and CT scans, may expose you to radiation from X-rays. However, the risk is low and does not outweigh the benefits of health screening. There is no risk associated with urine or stool tests.

Question 4

When will I receive my test results?

Accepted Answer

It may take around 1 &ndash; 2 weeks for the test results to be ready. Your doctor will review the results with you and advise on follow-up action, if necessary. You can also opt for online copies of the results or collect physical copies in person or via mail.

Question 5

What should I do if I have elevated levels of tumour markers?

Accepted Answer

Raised tumour markers do not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer. Some benign conditions can also result in elevated levels of tumour markers. To confirm if cancer is present, you may need further investigations such as imaging tests or a biopsy. Please consult your doctor for more advice.

Question 6

How accurate are cancer screening tests?

Accepted Answer

Cancer screening can be a powerful way to help detect cancer early, but it is not always accurate. It may falsely label a normal tissue as potentially cancerous (false positive) and cause a false alarm. Any abnormal findings may require further investigations or a referral to a specialist, and this may cause anxiety in people being diagnosed for cancer. Sometimes, cancer screenings may also miss a cancer and not pick up all occult diseases (false negative). If in doubt, speak with your doctor to understand the benefits and limitations of screening, and to determine the most appropriate screening tests for you.

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