Cancer Through Our Eyes Essay Competition

In support of Singapore Cancer Society

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in this essay competition. Prep Zone Academy, in partnership with the Singapore Cancer Society, is proud to bring you a chance to write about something that genuinely matters. Cancer touches almost every family in Singapore in one way or another, and the way we talk about it, prepare for it, and support those who face it shapes our entire community.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. The questions, the rules, what we are looking for, and the resources that can help you write a strong essay. Take your time with it. The best entries are not necessarily the longest or the most technical. They are the ones that show genuine thought, clear writing, and a real attempt to understand the topic.

About the Competition

This is a writing competition open to students based in Singapore. There are two age categories, and you will choose one essay question from your category. Your essay should reflect your own ideas, your own voice, and your own research.

The competition is organised by Prep Zone Academy in support of Singapore Cancer Society. SCS supports the initiative by reviewing topics and providing input on questions, and they have kindly agreed to provide certificates for participants and winners.

Why We Are Doing This

This competition is not just about writing. It is about getting young people to think seriously about a subject that touches real lives. We want you to leave this competition with a better understanding of three things.

• How cancer affects individuals, families, and the wider Singapore community.
• How prevention, early detection, and good patient care can change outcomes.
• Why your voice as a young person matters in healthcare conversations that often leave students out.

If you walk away from this with even one new way of thinking about cancer, the competition has done its job.

Who Can Join

This competition is open to all students based in Singapore. To check which category you belong to, look at your date of birth.

• Senior Category. Students born on or before 31 December 2009.
• Junior Category. Students born on or after 1 January 2010.

Students who have already matriculated at a university cannot participate, even if their date of birth would otherwise place them in the Senior Category.

How To Enter

1. Make a donation of at least S$25 via our Giving.sg campaign at https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/cancer-through-our-eyes.
2. After you have made the donation, register for the competition at our portal at https://essay.medicalschool.sg. Please note that you are required to upload a screenshot of your donation to complete your registration. Your screenshot should clearly include your name, your donation amount, and your transaction reference to be valid.
   
3. Once registered, you can write & submit your essay at the same portal above (https://essay.medicalschool.sg).

If you encounter any issues during the registration or submission process, email us at giving@prep-zone.com

Key Dates

• Competition Launch: 1st June 2026.
• Registration Period: 1st June 2026 0:01AM –  24th July 2026, 11:59 PM SGT
• Submission Deadline: 31st August 2026, 11:59 PM SGT.
• Results announcement and award ceremony: September 2026, at the Prep Zone office.

The Essay Questions

Pick ONE question from your category. Do not attempt both. Your essay should focus tightly on the question you choose.

Senior Category

For students born on or before 31 December 2009. Word count is 1200 – 1500 words.

Question 1
How should Singapore balance its spending between cancer prevention and cancer treatment over the next decade? Examine the trade offs between investing in early detection programmes and investing in advanced treatment, weigh the evidence carefully, and make a clear recommendation for national policy.

Question 2
Cancer screening saves lives, but it also raises difficult questions about cost, false positives, and overdiagnosis. Should Singapore expand its national screening programmes, narrow them, or rethink them entirely? Argue your position using evidence and real local examples.

Junior Category

For students born on or after 1 January 2010. Word count is 700 – 1000 words.

Question 1

Many young Singaporeans believe cancer is a problem only for older people, but reports suggest this view is changing. Why is cancer increasingly affecting younger people in Singapore, and what can students your age do to help spread accurate awareness in their schools and communities?

Question 2

A close friend has just told you that someone in their family has been diagnosed with cancer. Drawing on what you have learned about the patient journey and the role of organisations like the Singapore Cancer Society, write a thoughtful response describing what you would say or do, and what this teaches us about how a community should support people affected by cancer.

What We Are Looking For

Strong essays in this competition share a few common features. We are not just looking for facts. We are looking for thinking.

• A clear point of view. Do not sit on the fence. Take a position and defend it with reasons.
• Real evidence. Use facts, statistics, examples, and quotes from reliable sources. Made up numbers or vague claims will weaken your essay quickly.
• Empathy. Cancer is not just a medical issue. It affects real people, real families, and real communities. The best essays remember this throughout.
• Honest writing. Write in your own voice. Do not try to sound like a textbook, and please do not use AI to write your essay for you (read guide below). Originality matters and judges can usually tell.
• Tight structure. A good essay has a beginning that draws the reader in, a middle that builds an argument, and an ending that lands a clear message.

AI Usage Guide

AI tools can be helpful, but they should be used carefully and with caution. They are good at explaining ideas, helping you brainstorm, and making complex topics simpler. However, they are not always accurate, and they can sometimes produce responses that sound correct but are actually too general, incomplete, or slightly wrong.

We are also quite familiar with how different AI models tend to respond to prompts, and we can often tell when writing is heavily AI-generated. In most cases, essays that are simple, clear, and show a real personal voice tend to do better than writing that sounds overly polished, generic, or “too perfect.” Good essays usually show thinking, uncertainty, and personality, not just smooth paragraphs.

That said, AI is not banned, but it should be used carefully and sparingly. It is better seen as a support tool rather than something that produces your final answer. If you do use AI at any stage (for ideas, explanations, or editing help), you should be transparent about it and include it in your references. We will not penalise honesty, and being open about your process is preferred over hiding it.

Overall, we strongly encourage students to rely on their own thinking first, and only use AI as a secondary aid. The best work will still come from your own understanding, your own voice, and your own effort, not from AI producing answers for you.

Prizes

Two Distinction certificates and two Merit certificates will be awarded in each category. All students that submit an essay will also be awarded an e-Certificate of Participation.

Marking Rubric

Each essay will be marked out of 100 across five criteria. Two judges from the Prep Zone consulting team will score each essay independently and the scores will be averaged. The rubric below shows how marks are distributed.

Two Distinction certificates and two Merit certificates will be awarded in each category.

Citation Format

You must cite information when it is not your own idea. This includes facts, numbers, quotes, or anything you learned from a book, website, or video. Citing is important because it shows where your information came from, gives credit to the original writer, and helps you avoid plagiarism (copying). It also makes your work more trustworthy because other people can check your sources.

You may use any citation style (MLA, APA, etc.) as long as you are consistent throughout your essay. However, we recommend MLA because it is usually the simplest for students to learn and use.

If you use MLA, you do two things: in-text citations and a Works Cited list. An in-text citation is a short note inside your sentence that tells the reader where the information came from. Most of the time, you use the author’s last name in brackets: Plants need sunlight to grow (Smith). If you mention the author in your sentence, you don’t need brackets: Smith says plants need sunlight. If there is a page number, include it: (Smith 12). At the end of your essay, you add a “Works Cited” page with full details of every source you used.

Here is a simple step-by-step process: First, when you find information (website, book, or video), write down the author, title, and link immediately so you don’t lose it. Second, when you use that information in your writing, add a short in-text citation like (Smith). Third, when you finish your essay, create your Works Cited page with full source details, for example: Smith, John. “How Plants Grow.” Science Kids, 2024, www.sciencekids.com/plants. This allows your reader to find your sources easily.

If you are unsure, never guess, just record the source while you are researching. Helpful guides include Purdue OWL MLA Guide and Scribbr MLA Guide. You can also watch this beginner-friendly video on MLA citations here: MLA Citation Tutorial Video. You can also use tools such as Citation Machine or Cite Fast to automate citations.

Getting Started

If you need help to get started, here are some resources and ideas!

Suggested Reading

You do not need to read all of these. Pick what catches your eye and use it as a starting point. The aim is to give you a foundation, not to overwhelm you.

Singapore Cancer Society (Recommended Resource Section)

The Singapore Cancer Society is one of the most important local organisations you should use when researching cancer in Singapore. It provides reliable, easy-to-understand, and locally relevant information about cancer prevention, screening, treatment support, and patient care. If you are looking for a strong “starting point” for Singapore-focused information, this should be one of your first stops.

You can find their resources at Singapore Cancer Society, especially the Cancer Information section. This is useful because it explains cancer in a way that is clear for students while still being medically accurate. It also focuses on Singapore-specific issues, such as local screening prond support services available to patients and families.

Books:

• The Emperor of All Maladies, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. A long but very readable history of cancer, written by an oncologist. Excellent for understanding how thinking about cancer has changed over time.
• When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi. A short memoir by a young neurosurgeon facing terminal cancer. A powerful read on what the patient experience actually feels like.
• Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande. About medicine, ageing, and how we approach the end of life. Essential for anyone thinking seriously about patient care.
• The Cancer Chronicles, by George Johnson. A science journalist explores what cancer actually is at a cellular level, written for a general reader.

Articles, Reports, and Websites:

• Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report. Published by the National Registry of Diseases Office. Look for the most recent edition for cancer statistics in Singapore.
• HealthHub Singapore. At healthhub.sg, with clear, well sourced articles on prevention, screening, and treatment in the local context.
• World Health Organization fact sheets on cancer. At who.int. Useful for global context and comparison.
• The Straits Times health section. Often runs articles on cancer trends in Singapore. Very useful for current context, real-world examples, and quotes.
• CNA Commentary and Straits Times Opinion. Search for opinion pieces on healthcare policy in Singapore. These show you how arguments about health policy are framed for a general audience.

 Sample Ideas to Get You Started

These are just sparks. They are not full essays, and you should not copy them. Use them only if you find them helpful, and then make the idea your own.

For Senior Question 1, on prevention versus treatment

You could argue that prevention is undervalued because the people whose cancers are prevented never become visible to the system. They simply live their lives. Treatment, by contrast, produces visible recoveries and visible costs. This visibility gap may quietly bias policy towards treatment even when prevention would save more lives per dollar. From there, you could explore what a serious prevention focused strategy would actually cost, what it would achieve, and where Singapore should draw the line.

For Senior Question 2, on cancer screening

You could examine a specific local screening programme such as breast cancer screening through BreastScreen Singapore, or colorectal cancer screening through the Faecal Immunochemical Test programme. Look at uptake rates, false positive rates, and outcomes. Then argue whether the programme is doing the job it was designed to do, what could be improved, and what might need to change.

For Junior Question 1, on younger Singaporeans and cancer

You could explore the role of lifestyle, diet, screen time, sleep, and stress among young people in Singapore. You could also write about how social media spreads myths about cancer, and what an honest awareness campaign by students would actually look like. The strongest entries will probably include a small, realistic idea you could carry out in your own school.

For Junior Question 2, on supporting a friend

You could write this almost like a letter or a quiet conversation. Think about what is unhelpful when someone is grieving or scared, and what is genuinely helpful. Bring in something specific from a Singapore Cancer Society support programme to ground your essay in real services that exist for real families.

 Suggestions on How to Structure Your Essay

Most strong essays follow a familiar shape. You do not have to copy this exactly, but it is a safe place to start.

• Opening paragraph: Introduce the topic. State your position clearly. Tell the reader what your essay is going to argue.
• Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should make one main point. Start with your point. Then support it with evidence and reasoning. Then explain why this point matters to your overall argument.
• Counterargument: Spend at least one paragraph engaging with the strongest objection to your view. Take it seriously. Explain why your position still holds.
• Closing paragraph: Do not just summarise. Push the reader to a final thought or call to action that follows from your argument.

Submission Checklist

Before you submit your essay, please make sure you have done the following:

1. Word count is within the range for your category.
2. You have written about ONE question only.
3. Your name, age, date of birth, school, and contact details are on a separate cover page.
4. Your name does NOT appear in the body of the essay so it can be marked anonymously.
5. Your essay is in 12 point Times New Roman, double spaced, with one inch margins.
6. You have proofread your essay at least twice.
7. You have included a reference list at the end.
8. You have proof of donation attached if you are not a Prep Zone student.

Submit your essay as a PDF to the email address listed on the competition page on the Prep Zone Academy website.

A Final Note

Writing about cancer is not easy. Some of you may have personal experiences with this disease, in your own family or among friends. If a topic feels too close, please choose the other question, or step away if you need to. There is no prize worth pushing yourself through something painful. Reach out to a parent, teacher, or counsellor if you need support.

For everyone else, take this seriously. The winning essays may be published on our website, which means real people working in cancer care and prevention will read what you write. Make it count.

We are looking forward to your entries.

Warmly,

The Prep Zone Academy team

Terms and Conditions

“Cancer Through Our Eyes” Essay Competition

In support of Singapore Cancer Society

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern participation in the “Cancer Through Our Eyes” Essay Competition (“Competition”), organised by Prep Zone Academy (“Organiser”), in partnership with the Singapore Cancer Society (“SCS”).

By registering for or submitting an entry to the Competition, all participants agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Eligibility
   1. The Competition is open to students currently based in Singapore.
   2. Participants must fall under one of the following categories:
      • Junior Category: Born on or after 1 January 2010
      • Senior Category: Born on or before 31 December 2009
   3. Students who have matriculated into a university are not eligible, regardless of age.
   4. The Organiser reserves the right to request proof of age and student status at any time.
2. Registration and Entry Requirement
   1. Entry into the Competition requires a minimum donation of SGD $25 to the Singapore Cancer Society via the official Competition donation page.
   2. Donations are made directly to SCS. Prep Zone Academy will match eligible donations at its own discretion.
   3. Proof of donation must be submitted together with the essay entry.
   4. Entries submitted without valid proof of donation may be disqualified.
3. Donations and Refund Policy
   1. All donations made to the Singapore Cancer Society in connection with this Competition are strictly non-refundable.
   2. By completing a donation, participants acknowledge and agree that no refunds, cancellations, or reversals will be permitted under any circumstances.
4. Competition Structure
   1. Participants must select one essay question only from their assigned category.
   2. Essay word limits:
      • Junior Category: 700–1000 words
      • Senior Category: 1200–1500 words
   3. Submissions outside the required word range may be penalised or disqualified at the Organiser’s discretion.
5. Key Dates:
   • Competition Launch: 1 June 2026
   • Registration Period: 1 June 2026 (00:01 SGT) – 24 July 2026 (23:59 SGT)
   • Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026 (23:59 SGT)
   • Results Announcement & Award Ceremony: Mid-August 2026
   • The Organiser reserves the right to amend these dates where necessary, with reasonable notice provided.
6. Submission Requirements
   1. All essays must be submitted in PDF format via the official submission email stated on the Competition website.
   2. Each submission must include:
      • A separate cover page containing participant name, age, date of birth, school, and contact details
      • The essay body without any identifying personal information
      • A reference list (not included in word count)
      • Proof of donation (where applicable)
   3. Essays must be typed in:
      • Times New Roman, 12pt font
      • Double spacing
      • 1-inch margins
   4. Late submissions will not be accepted unless explicitly approved by the Organiser.
7. Originality and Academic Integrity
   1. All submissions must be the participant’s original work.
   2. Plagiarism in any form will result in immediate disqualification.
   3. All sources must be properly cited, including facts, statistics, and quotations.
   4. Essays must not have been previously submitted to other competitions or publications.
8. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage
   1. AI tools may be used only as supporting tools (e.g., brainstorming, explaining concepts, or editing assistance).
   2. AI must not be used to generate full essays or substantial portions of submissions.
   3. Any use of AI must be declared in the references section.
   4. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify entries where AI-generated content is deemed to replace original student work.
9. Judging Criteria
   1. Essays will be assessed out of 100 marks based on:
      • Understanding of topic (20%)
      • Argument and critical thinking (25%)
      • Evidence and research (20%)
      • Structure and organisation (15%)
      • Writing quality and originality (20%)
   2. Each essay will be independently evaluated by two judges, and scores will be averaged.
10. Judging Decisions and Appeals
    1. All judging decisions are final and binding.
    2. No appeals, requests for review, or reconsideration of results will be accepted or acknowledged.
11. Prizes and Recognition
    1. Awards per category:
       • 2 Distinction Certificates
       • 2 Merit Certificates
    2. All valid participants will receive an e-Certificate of Participation.
    3. The Organiser reserves the right to withhold awards if submissions do not meet required standards.
12. Publication Rights
    1. By submitting an entry, participants grant the Organiser and SCS a non-exclusive right to:
       • Publish essays (in full or in part)
       • Edit for clarity and formatting
       • Use entries for educational or promotional purposes
    2. Authors will be credited where their work is published.
13. Privacy and Data Use
    1. Personal data will be used solely for Competition administration and communication.
    2. Data will not be shared with third parties except where necessary for administration or required by law.
14. Disqualification
    The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify participants who:
    • Provide false information
    • Violate submission rules
    • Engage in plagiarism or academic dishonesty
    • Fail to meet eligibility requirements
    • Attempt to unfairly influence judging
15. Changes to the Competition
    1. The Organiser reserves the right to amend these Terms, timelines, or Competition structure at any time.
    2. Any changes will be communicated via the official Competition website.
16. Liability
    1. The Organiser is not responsible for:
       • Late or incomplete submissions
       • Technical issues during submission
       • Errors caused by third-party systems
    2. Participation is at the entrant’s own risk.
17. General
    1. These Terms are governed by the laws of Singapore.
    2. Participation constitutes full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.