Women who book a mammogram in October will get an additional $25 subsidy offered by the Singapore Cancer Society to encourage more women to get tested. The discount, as part of the upcoming breast cancer awareness month, is available at 40 centres for women aged 50 and over.

To claim it, women simply have to pick up the coupon at Singapore Cancer Society or at selected stores under Guardian, Body Shop, Metro, Pierre Cardin Lingerie and Sorella Lingerie.

The latest National Health Survey showed that only two in five women aged 50 to 69 went for a mammogram in the last two years, the recommended frequency for the age group. Those who did not go for the test mostly said they were afraid the test would be painful or did not have the time to get screened. In addition, many also felt that they were healthy and need not take the test, which usually cost $100.

The $25 subsidy can be used on top of the $50 subsidy provided under the national breast cancer screening programme, BreastScreen Singapore, which is available at 16 polyclinics.