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SINGAPORE : A new campaign has been launched to raise public awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
As part of the campaign, 200 general practitioners will conduct COPD screening at their primary care clinics for the first time. Previously, spirometry testing machines were only available at specialist clinics and hospitals.
The campaign aims to reach out to those above 40 years old or have been smoking for over 10 years, especially smokers with a chronic cough and lots of phlegm, and who are suffering from breathlessness.
Doctors said some start smoking when they are 16 years old and exhibit symptoms after 10 years of smoking.
Currently, there are some 64,000 cases of moderate to severe COPD in Singapore and it is the eighth leading cause of death in Singapore.
Dr Ong Kian Chung, president, COPD Association Singapore, and a respiratory specialist, said: "This is just a guideline. It does not mean that anybody who is less than 40 cannot get COPD. In fact, anyone who has been smoking for at least 10 years are at risk of having COPD. So I would suggest (that) any individual who has a cigarette smoking history and symptoms (should get tested)." - CNA/ms
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