5 Health Checks Every Singaporean Woman Should Get and Why
Last updated: 27 Aug 2026
Women in Singapore are statistically more likely than men to attend health screenings. But "more likely" does not mean "enough." The NPHS 2024 found that cervical cancer screening compliance was only 48.2 percent and breast cancer screening only 38.7 percent among eligible women. A community health study found that less than half of women in the recommended age groups had completed cervical screening, and only 35.1 percent had completed breast screening as recommended.
These numbers mean that more than half of Singaporean women are overdue for at least one screening that could detect a preventable or treatable condition. The reasons are similar to men: too busy, feeling fine, assuming screening is for older women, or simply not knowing which tests matter and when to start.
This guide covers the five tests every Singaporean woman should have, what each one detects, and why each one deserves a place in your health routine.
Comprehensive Health Screening for Singaporean Women
Patient-first, Holistic, Dedicated Healthcare
1. Cervical Screening: Because Cervical Cancer Is Almost Entirely Preventable
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. In Singapore, it remains a significant concern despite being one of the most preventable cancers in existence. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and both the virus and the precancerous changes it causes are detectable years before cancer develops.
There are two screening approaches, and both are available at Regis Medical.
A Pap smear examines cells collected from the cervix for abnormal changes. It is recommended every three years for women aged 25 to 69 who are or have been sexually active. It has been the standard cervical screening test for decades and remains effective.
HPV testing detects the presence of high-risk HPV strains directly. It is more sensitive than a Pap smear alone and is increasingly recommended as a primary screening tool. For women who prefer privacy or find Pap smears uncomfortable, we also offer HPV self-sampling, which allows you to collect your own sample at the clinic. It is equally accurate and removes one of the most common barriers to screening.
The HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) provides primary prevention for women up to age 45, but vaccination does not replace screening. Even vaccinated women should continue regular cervical screening.
When to start: Age 25, or three years after becoming sexually active, whichever is later. Repeat every three years (Pap smear) or every five years (HPV primary screening), depending on your doctor's recommendation.
2. Lipid Profile: Because Heart Disease Is the Biggest Killer, Not Cancer
Many women assume that heart disease is primarily a male problem. It is not. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in Singapore, accounting for more deaths than all cancers combined. Yet women are significantly less likely than men to have their cholesterol checked.
The NPHS 2024 found that 31.9 per cent of Singaporean adults have high cholesterol. This affects women and men roughly equally, but women face a particular inflection point: after menopause, the protective effect of oestrogen on cholesterol levels diminishes, and LDL cholesterol often rises sharply. Women who had healthy cholesterol throughout their 30s and 40s can develop elevated LDL in their 50s without any change in diet or lifestyle.
A cholesterol screening test measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Elevated triglycerides with low HDL is a particularly important pattern in women because it is strongly associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk, especially post-menopause.
When to start: From age 30, or earlier if you have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol. Repeat every one to three years depending on results. Increase frequency after menopause.
3. Fasting Glucose and HbA1c: Because Diabetes Risk Rises With Every Decade
The diabetes statistics in Singapore do not discriminate by sex. One in three Singaporeans has a lifetime risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and nearly one in five cases are undiagnosed. Women face additional risk through the connection between gestational diabetes and future Type 2 diabetes: women who developed diabetes during pregnancy have a 35 to 60 per cent lifetime risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within the next decade.
PCOS is another uniquely female risk factor. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have insulin resistance as a core feature of the condition, which significantly elevates their diabetes risk regardless of weight.
A diabetes screening test (fasting glucose and HbA1c) is the only reliable way to detect prediabetes, which produces no symptoms but is reversible with lifestyle changes when caught early.
When to start: Age 40 for average-risk women (every three years). Earlier and more frequently if you have a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, PCOS, are overweight, or belong to a higher-risk ethnic group. Women with previous gestational diabetes should be screened at 6 to 12 weeks postpartum and then at least every three years for life.
4. Thyroid Function: Because Thyroid Disorders Affect Women 5 to 8 Times More Than Men
Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in women. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) both disproportionately affect women, with women five to eight times more likely to develop thyroid disorders than men.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are easily mistaken for stress, ageing, or simply being busy: fatigue, weight gain, difficulty concentrating, dry skin, hair thinning, constipation, feeling cold, and low mood. Many women live with these symptoms for years, attributing them to their lifestyle, before a blood test reveals an underactive thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism produces the opposite pattern: unexplained weight loss, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, heat intolerance, tremor, and difficulty sleeping. Both conditions are treatable, but only if detected.
A thyroid function test measures TSH and free T4. It is quick, inexpensive, and reveals whether your thyroid is functioning normally, underperforming, or overactive. If you have unexplained fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, menstrual irregularity, or difficulty conceiving, thyroid function should be one of the first things checked.
When to start: Include thyroid function in your first comprehensive health screening, particularly if you have symptoms, a family history of thyroid disease, or are planning pregnancy. Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy can affect fetal development, making preconception thyroid screening particularly important.
5. Iron and Ferritin: Because Anaemia Is Hiding in Plain Sight
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, and women of reproductive age are disproportionately affected due to menstrual blood loss. In Singapore, the combination of menstruation, lower red meat consumption in some dietary patterns, and high carbohydrate-low protein diets means many women have suboptimal iron stores without realising it.
The symptoms of iron deficiency overlap almost entirely with the symptoms women attribute to being busy: fatigue, difficulty concentrating, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin, cold hands and feet, and hair thinning. Many women accept this level of tiredness as normal. It is not.
A ferritin level test measures your body's iron storage. Ferritin can be depleted long before anaemia develops on a standard blood count, meaning your haemoglobin may still look normal while your iron reserves are running on empty. Testing ferritin specifically, rather than relying on haemoglobin alone, catches iron depletion at the stage where supplementation is most effective and symptoms are most reversible.
An iron deficiency test alongside a full blood count provides a complete picture of your iron status and red blood cell health.
When to start: Any woman of reproductive age who experiences heavy periods, persistent fatigue, or dietary restrictions that limit iron intake should have ferritin tested. It should be included in routine health screening for all women.
What About Mammography and Bone Density?
Mammography is recommended every two years for women aged 50 to 69 under Singapore's national screening guidelines, and from age 40 for women with a family history of breast cancer. Your GP can assess your personal risk, recommend the appropriate screening interval, and refer you for mammography at an accredited facility. At Regis Medical, we discuss breast cancer risk as part of our women's health screening and ensure you are up to date.
Bone density screening (DEXA scan) is recommended for women at risk of osteoporosis, particularly post-menopausal women and those with risk factors such as family history, low body weight, long-term corticosteroid use, or early menopause. An osteoporosis screening assessment at our clinic can determine whether a DEXA referral is appropriate.
Bonus: Female Hormonal Panel
For women experiencing menstrual irregularity, unexplained weight changes, acne, hair loss, mood changes, reduced fertility, or symptoms of perimenopause, a female hormonal test provides insight into oestrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, and related markers.
Hormonal testing is particularly relevant for women investigating PCOS, fertility concerns, or menopause management. Rather than guessing whether your symptoms are hormonal, a blood test provides clarity and guides the appropriate next step.
Your Health Screening Should Be as Comprehensive as Your Life
Women are often the ones ensuring their children are vaccinated, their parents are screened, and their partners see a doctor. The irony is that they are frequently the last to prioritise their own health.
A comprehensive women's health screening at Regis Medical covers all five of the tests above in a single visit, alongside any additional markers indicated by your age, family history, and symptoms. Our women's health clinic provides a comfortable, unhurried environment where you can discuss your health openly with our Doctors.
The tests on this list take less than an hour collectively. The conditions they detect take years to develop and produce no symptoms until they have caused damage. The value of knowing where you stand is immeasurable compared to the cost of finding out too late.
Comprehensive Health Screening for Singaporean Women
Patient-first, Holistic, Dedicated Healthcare
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