Adj A/Prof Cheong Wai Kit is a Senior Consultant in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery at Division of Colorectal Surgery, National University Hospital. Areas of clinical focus include recurrent and advanced colorectal cancer; Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.
Clinical focus
Recurrent and advanced colorectal cancer; Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS (University of Malaya), FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Glasg), FAMS (Surgery)
Where they practise
Cheong Wai Kit practises at Division of Colorectal Surgery, National University Hospital, in the Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery. See the official profile linked below for current clinic and appointment details.
About Colorectal Surgery
Colorectal surgery treats conditions of the colon, rectum and anus. Colorectal surgeons manage colorectal cancer, polyps, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) needing surgery, and common anal conditions such as haemorrhoids, fistula and fissure. They also perform colonoscopy for screening and diagnosis. Where surgery is needed it is often minimally invasive (keyhole) or robotic, which can mean smaller wounds and quicker recovery. Colorectal-cancer screening is a major focus, as early detection greatly improves outcomes.
Conditions and treatments commonly covered
Areas commonly seen in colorectal surgery include:
- Colorectal cancer
- Colon polyps
- Haemorrhoids, fissure and fistula
- Diverticular disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (surgical)
- Colonoscopy and screening
What to expect at a consultation
An initial consultation usually involves a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, a focused examination, and any tests needed to reach a diagnosis. The specialist will explain the findings, walk you through your options — including non-surgical approaches where relevant — and set out the likely costs and next steps before anything proceeds. If a procedure is recommended, it is reasonable to ask what it involves, the expected recovery time, the risks and the alternatives, so you can make an informed decision at your own pace. It helps to keep asking questions until you fully understand the plan.
Preparing for your appointment
- Bring referral letters, past reports, scan images and a list of your current medications.
- Note your main symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Write down the questions that matter most to you, and bring a family member if it helps.
After your consultation and follow-up
Depending on the diagnosis, you may be given medication, referred for further tests or imaging, scheduled for a procedure, or asked to return for review. Ask what warning signs should prompt earlier contact, how to get your results, and who to reach if you have questions between visits. Keeping your own copy of reports makes future care and any second opinion easier.
Costs, subsidies and financing in Singapore
For subsidised care at a public (restructured) hospital, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is generally needed; private specialists can usually be booked directly at full fees. Ask upfront for an estimate covering the consultation, tests and any procedure. Depending on the treatment, you may be able to use MediSave for approved day-surgery and procedures (within set limits), with MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan helping for larger inpatient bills. Purely cosmetic procedures are not claimable. If cost is a concern, it is worth asking whether a subsidised referral is possible, and comparing written estimates between providers before you commit.
How to choose the right colorectal surgeon in Singapore
Beyond credentials, it helps to match the specialist to your specific problem. Consider whether their sub-specialty fits your condition, how often they manage or operate on cases like yours, which hospital they admit to (and whether it suits your budget and insurance), and how clearly they explain your options and costs. Accreditation can be confirmed on the Register of Specialists and registration on the Singapore Medical Council register. Independent reviews are a useful signal for communication and experience, but weigh them alongside credentials rather than on their own.
Questions worth asking at your first consultation
- Are you an accredited specialist in the area my condition falls under?
- What are my options, including non-surgical or watch-and-wait approaches?
- How often do you treat or perform this, and what are the typical outcomes and risks?
- What is the full estimated cost, and what can I claim through MediSave or insurance?
- Are you comfortable with me seeking a second opinion?
Verifying credentials
In Singapore every practising doctor must be registered with the Singapore Medical Council, and specialists are additionally listed on the Register of Specialists maintained by the Specialist Accreditation Board — you can search both to confirm a doctor’s registration and field. The letters after a name (such as MRCP, FRCS or FAMS) reflect postgraduate training and fellowships, but the key question is simply whether the doctor is an accredited specialist in the area relevant to your care.
When to consider a second opinion
A second opinion is reasonable before major surgery, for a serious or unclear diagnosis, or when a recommended treatment feels aggressive or uncertain. Good specialists welcome it. Bring your reports and scans so the second doctor can assess the same information. You are entitled to a copy of your medical records to take along, and seeking another view will not offend a good specialist.
Common questions
When should I see a colorectal surgeon?
For rectal bleeding, a persistent change in bowel habit, a positive stool screening test, colorectal polyps or cancer, or troublesome haemorrhoids or fistula.
At what age should I screen for colorectal cancer?
In Singapore, screening is generally recommended from age 50 (earlier with a family history) — options include a stool test (FIT) or colonoscopy.
Are haemorrhoids always treated with surgery?
No — many improve with diet, fibre and simple measures or minor procedures; surgery is reserved for more severe cases.
Do I need a referral to see this specialist?
For subsidised care at a public hospital you generally need a GP or polyclinic referral; private specialists can usually be seen directly.
How can I verify a doctor’s credentials?
Check the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and the Register of Specialists for accredited specialists.
Selected research & publications
Cheong Wai Kit has contributed to peer-reviewed research in colorectal surgery. A selection of published work:
- Transanal total mesorectal excision for locally advanced pT4b rectal cancers — ANZ J Surg, 2018
- Outcomes of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: a single-institution experience — Singapore Med J, 2018
- Successful use of tissue expander and pelvic sling to exclude small bowel for high-dose pelvic irradiation — Int J Colorectal Dis, 2019
- Analysis of colorectal cancer glyco-secretome identifies laminin β-1 (LAMB1) as a potential serological biomarker for colorectal cancer — Proteomics, 2015
- Preoperative Quality of Life and Mental Health Can Predict Postoperative Outcomes and Quality of Life after Colorectal Cancer Surgery — Medicina (Kaunas), 2023
- A phase II trial of preoperative concurrent chemotherapy and dose escalated intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer — J Cancer, 2017
Related guides
Sources & verification
Profile details are summarised from the doctor’s official listing (official profile). Registration can be verified on the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and specialist accreditation on the Register of Specialists.
General information only, not medical advice. Details may change — confirm current clinic, availability and fees with the provider.
See also: our editorial directory of colorectal surgeons in Singapore.
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