Echo Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Take part in colorectal cancer screening and adopt healthy lifestyle
The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (March 3) urged members of the public to support Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by adopting a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular screenings to prevent colorectal cancer.
"The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has recognised March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month every year to highlight the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, as well as to promote healthy lifestyle habits to reduce a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer locally and the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2022, there were 5 190 newly diagnosed cases, and colorectal cancer led to 2 270 deaths. It is important for the public to be more aware of cancer prevention," he said.
The primary prevention of cancer is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, while screening is a tool for secondary prevention to detect and treat precancerous lesions or early-stage cancers before symptoms appear, thereby increasing the cure rate.
"The DH encourages all asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged between 50 and 75 to join the Government-subsidised Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) as early as possible and to undergo screening tests every two years in the private sector. Participants should first attend a medical consultation provided by an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD) and receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening arranged by the PCD. If the test result is positive, the participant will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. If the test result is negative, the participant is advised to repeat the screening two years later," Dr Tsui said.
The CRCSP has been operating smoothly since its launch in 2016. Last year, there were around 86 000 new participants in the CRCSP, a record annual high since its launch. As of the end of 2024, the total number of eligible participants was approximately 510 000. A cumulative total of about 77 000 persons had positive FIT screening results, about 40 000 persons were diagnosed to have colorectal adenomas after colonoscopy examinations, and about 3 400 persons had colorectal cancer. Among the colorectal cancer cases diagnosed under the CRCSP, a preliminary analysis of around 2 400 cases has been done, and about 56 per cent of these cases were in earlier stages and therefore had a more favourable prognosis.
The CRCSP is heavily subsidised by the Government. As of the end of 2024, around 1 090 PCDs have enrolled in the CRCSP, covering about 2 070 locations, and about 97 per cent of these locations will not charge any additional payment for the consultation or the FIT screening. Around 260 colonoscopy specialists have also joined the CRCSP. The colonoscopy specialists can only charge participants a co-payment of no more than $1,000 for providing standard colonoscopy examination services. Currently, colonoscopy examination services are available at about 780 service locations, with over 70 per cent of these locations not charging any additional payment for colonoscopy and polyp removal.
"The DH released the latest Health Behaviour Survey this January, which revealed that unhealthy but modifiable practices are common among the Hong Kong population. For example, 14.8 per cent of the adult population performed an insufficient level of physical activity, 97.0 per cent of the public had an inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, and 2.7 per cent of the population (aged 15 or above) engaged in binge drinking at least monthly. These are important risk factors for developing common non-communicable diseases, including cancer. To prevent colorectal cancer, members of the public are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and practices, including exercising regularly, eating two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables daily, reducing the consumption of red meat and processed meat, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol," Dr Tsui added.
At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan via District Health Centres (DHCs), DHC Expresses and family doctors. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic disease and cancer screening, as well as healthy lifestyles according to personal factors, including recommendations on colorectal cancer screening for those aged 50 or above.
For more information on the CRCSP (including eligibility criteria and the list of PCDs), please visit the DH's thematic websitewww.colonscreen.gov.hk, or call 3565 6288 during office hours.
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
------------------------------
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
-----------------------------------------------------
Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
---------------------------------------------------------
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
----------------------------------------------------
Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
