All Singaporeans who turn 50 years old this year can get free cancer screening at polyclinics for colon, breast and cervical cancer.

Announced by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Tuesday, the screening will be paid for by government subsidy and supplemented by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS).

Colon and breast are the top cancers for men and women respectively.

Speaking on World Cancer Day, Mr Gan said: "For these cancers, there is good evidence that early detection through screening saves lives, because cancer, when detected and treated in the early stages, has better outcome."

Cancer is the top killer here and the minister said "more can be done to reduce the health burden posed by cancer to patients' families and to society."

Meanwhile, SCS, the largest community-based voluntary welfare organisation here, will be setting aside $10 million over the next three years to expand its hospice services.