Study confirms Jockey Club Cancer Survivorship Care Project helps to alleviate distress and family difficulties

A diagnosis of cancer places a heavy emotional burden on patients and their caregivers. To provide holistic support, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust supported the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) and four NGO partners to launch the Jockey Club Cancer Survivorship Care Project(JCCSC) in September 2015. In the last 10 years, the JCCSC has provided support to 36,000 cancer patients and their caregivers. Commissioned by the JCCSC, the Centre on Behavioral Health of The University of Hong Kong conducted a study on the emotional shifts cancer patients and caregivers undergo after receiving support. Statistics from the study indicate that following project intervention, patients experienced a reduction in distress levels, family-related problems and negative emotions.Caregivers also demonstrated improvement in psychological well-being. Upon completion of the project, the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) extends its gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its unwavering support of JCCSC over the years. HKACS and NGOs will continue to provide personalised and holistic cancer care services through medical-social collaboration.

Study confirms Jockey Club Cancer Survivorship Care Project helps to alleviate distress and family difficulties,A decade of strength and support: transforming the cancer care journey together .

Cancer cases surge in Hong Kong amid rising healthcare demand

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of the Hospital Authority, cancer claimed the lives of 13,000 individuals in 2022. According to the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019, cancer accounts for one-third of all deaths in the city. The number of new cancer cases is expected to surge. By 2030, the number of new cases may exceed 42,000 per year.

JCCSC supported 36,000 cancer patients and caregivers in the past decade

To address gaps in cancer care—which primarily centres on day care and treatment—The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust generously supported the HKACS in launching the JCCSC Project. The initiative provides holistic, one-on-one support for patients and caregivers from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Services include telephone consultations, outreach support and clinical psychologist sessions.

Mrs. Patricia Chu Yeung Pak Yu, BBS, Chairman of JCCSC Project Steering Committee and Chairman of the HKACS, said, “Through a partnership between HKACS and four NGOs, namely the Christian Family Service Centre, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation, HKSKH Lady Maclehose Centre and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, comprehensive cancer support was provided throughout Hong Kong—reaching more than 13,000 patients and 23,000 caregivers in the last ten years.”

Mrs. Patricia Chu Yeung Pak Yu, BBS, Chairman of JCCSC Project Steering Committee and Chairman of the HKACS, said, “Through a partnership between HKACS and four NGOs, reaching more than 13,000 patients and 23,000 caregivers in the last ten years.”

HKU study: Early intervention significantly reduced distress and family problems, with sustained improvement over time

To assess the effectiveness of the project, the Centre for Behavioural Health at The University of Hong Kong was commissioned to conduct surveys and focus group interviews with cancer patients and caregivers. Their emotional distress was measured at three intervals: before participation (preintervention), three months after receiving services (early intervention), and one year later or upon programme completion (late intervention). Key findings include:

The research team noted that cancer patients often feel anxious and helpless at diagnosis and hesitate to seek help for fear of burdening others. This contributed to slightly lower baseline scores compared to international studies. By the early intervention stage, participants showed significant improvement in perceived distress and family-related problems. By the late intervention stage, participants learned to release emotional stress through mind-body-spirit counseling. While the improvement was less pronounced than the earlier phase, the data still showed significant progress. In focus group discussions,one caregiver stressed the importance of ongoing companionship-based support, noting that many Chinese individuals are unaccustomed to seeking help or discussing personal issues—making trust building a longer process.

Cancer patients often fear burdening others and avoid seeking help

The study also revealed the struggles of cancer patients and the tendency among affected families to avoid troubling others. Notably, younger patients (under 65) exhibited both strong positive and negative emotions before joining the programme. Dr. Adrian Wan Ho Yin, Investigator of Research on JCCSC, Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU, explained, “Cancer affects both the physical and mental well-being of patients, making negative emotions inevitable. Many older patients feel they are a burden to others and are less likely to seek help or open up, making it harder to experience positive emotions and leading to more family issues. In contrast, younger patients—possibly influenced by social media—tend to have greater access to resources and information, and are more optimistic about recovery, resulting in more positive emotions.”

Previous studies found that Chinese cancer patients—including those in Hong Kong—often suppress negative emotions and present a positive front to avoid burdening family or being seen as weak. This study echoed those findings, with one caregiver noting that patients appear positive in public but release negative emotions at home. Caregivers, who play a key role in both care and emotional support, often experience an emotional burden that should not be overlooked.

Strengthen the support ecosystem through medical-social collaboration

Prof. Rainbow Ho Tin Hung, Principal Investigator of Research on JCCSC, Director of Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU, concluded: “The study suggests that comprehensive and early intervention can significantly ease emotional distress, mental health and family-related challenges among cancer patients, while also enhancing the mental well-being of their caregivers. The programme successfully bridges service gaps arising from the limited family support network in Hong Kong, helping cancer patients and caregivers recognise the critical value of timely support. Throughout the study, it was encouraging to witness participants committed to continuing the programme’s legacy—stepping up as volunteers, sharing their personal experiences, and uplifting fellow cancer-affected families.”

Prof. Rainbow Ho Tin Hung, Principal Investigator of Research on JCCSC, Director of Centre on Behavioral Health, HKU, concluded: “The study suggests that comprehensive and early intervention can significantly ease emotional distress, mental health and family-related challenges among cancer patients, while also enhancing the mental well-being of their caregivers.

She added that JCCSC showcases how medical-social collaboration leads to more effective care and support for cancer patients and caregivers. Over time, the project strengthens the support ecosystem of Hong Kong.

New service protocol to share insights and guide future directions in cancer care

The programme’s success was made possible by longstanding support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the commitment of partner organisations. Drawing on its experience, JCCSC will develop a service protocol, share insights with stakeholders and help shape new directions in cancer care. The HKACS will continue working with NGOs to provide diverse, comprehensive cancer services.

Calling on cancer families to take the brave first step in seeking support

NGOs across Hong Kong offer diverse support services for cancer patients and caregivers. The HKACS urges families, friends, colleagues, healthcare professionals and the public to care for cancer families in daily life—encouraging patients and caregivers to take the brave first step in seeking help when needed and stand together as cancer-fighting HEROES.

Study confirms Jockey Club Cancer Survivorship Care Project helps to alleviate distress and family difficulties,A decade of strength and support: transforming the cancer care journey together .

Oral health is an important building block for a healthy community, particularly at the primary level where “prevention is better than cure” is as vital as in any other area of healthcare. In particular, given the shortage of dentists and other healthcare professionals, The Hong Kong Jockey Club recognises that dental hygienists can play a greater role in preventive dental care and community education.

The opening ceremony of the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre was officiated by Dr Cecilia Fan, Under Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong SAR Government (3rd left); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Vocational Training Council (2nd left) and other guests.

Responding to this opportunity, and with the Government having introduced of a statutory registration system for dental hygienists with suitable adjustments to their scope of practice, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, approved a donation of nearly HK$72 million to the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to establish the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

The Centre will provide state-of-the-art facilities and a training environment that replicates a real-world dental clinic for the newly launched Professional Diploma in Dental Hygiene programme, thereby strengthening the training capacity for dental hygienists. In addition, the Club will provide full tuition sponsorship for selected students, encouraging more aspiring individuals to pursue careers as dental hygienists and serve the community.

The opening ceremony of the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre was held today (23 October), officiated by Dr Cecilia Fan, Under Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Vocational Training Council.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo said that “Health” and “Development of Professionals” are key focus areas of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The Club has long attached great importance to the development of primary healthcare services in Hong Kong and the cultivation of relevant professionals, with a view to addressing the community’s long-term need for quality healthcare services. Looking ahead, through cross-project collaboration, the Club will continue to advance its efforts to strengthen preventive and primary healthcare services, nurture healthcare professionals, and promote healthy lifestyles, with a view to enhancing the physical and mental well-being of the community.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

Located at the VTC Chai Wan campus, the approximately 18,000-square-feet Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre is equipped with professional dental training facilities, including dental chairs, X-ray systems, suction systems and compressors, as well as virtual reality training systems and dental simulation equipment. These facilities provide students with a learning experience that closely replicates a real clinical environment. The centre also organises workshops to enhance public awareness of oral health.

The Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

The Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

In addition to supporting the establishment of the centre, the Club will support 36 students across three cohorts over a five-year period to study for the VTC’s Professional Diploma in Dental Hygiene programme. Under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Tuition Sponsorship Scheme for Professional Diploma in Dental Hygiene, each eligible student will receive full tuition support up to HK$140,000. Upon graduation, these students will be required to serve, under designated conditions, in NGOs or Government dental clinics, applying their professional knowledge and skills to benefit the community. The 18-month programme has been accredited by the Dental Council of Hong Kong, enabling graduates to meet the qualifications for registration as dental hygienists. The first cohort of 60 students graduated in August this year.

The Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

Over the years, the Club has continuously supported oral health initiatives, providing people of different ages, backgrounds and needs with professional and appropriate dental screening, treatment, care and education services. These initiatives include the Jockey Club Children Oral Health Project, which provides oral examinations and oral health education for kindergarten children; the Jockey Club Special Oral Health Programme, which provides basic dental services for people diagnosed with dementia or Parkinson’s disease; the Jockey Club Kwai Tsing Community-based Dental Support Programme, which provides subsidised dental services for residents in need in Kwai Tsing; and the Jockey Club Dental Care Programme, which provides subsidised dental services as well as education for people with financial difficulties, among others. The three primary healthcare dental clinics in Tai Kok Tsui, Yuen Long and Sham Shui Po, supported under the Jockey Club Dental Care Programme, also enable dental hygienists to fully utilise their professional expertise to provide preventive care and oral health education, enabling dentists to focus on more complex cases and enhancing overall service efficiency. The clinics also provide placement opportunities for students, enabling them to gain practical experience in serving underprivileged groups in community settings. The above initiatives not only address demands for dental services, but also enhance professionalism among dental hygienists and ultimately promote the provision of preventive dental services in the community.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Dental Care Training Centre, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.