Public urged to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by adopting healthy lifestyle and participating in risk-based breast cancer screenings
The Department of Health (DH) today (October 3) urged the public to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by adopting a healthy lifestyle and undergoing risk-based screenings to prevent breast cancer. The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control work, including the launch of the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme (BCSPP) in 2021. Among the breast cancer cases identified, the vast majority were at early stages, which shows that risk-based screening can enhance the recovery rate of breast cancer patients through early detection and treatment.
"Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females and the third leading cause of cancer deaths among females in Hong Kong. In 2022, there were 5 182 newly diagnosed invasive female breast cancer cases, accounting for 28.6 per cent of all new cancer cases in women in Hong Kong. In 2023, the disease led to 834 deaths among women, accounting for 13.1 per cent of female cancer deaths. The DH has been promoting the adoption of a healthy lifestyle as primary prevention of cancer, including avoiding tobacco and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. The DH also promotes breast awareness and breastfeeding as ways to prevent breast cancer. Screening, as secondary prevention, enables the early detection and treatment of breast cancer and enhances the recovery rate," said the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui.
Phase I of the BCSPP was launched in 2021. From 2021 to 2024, over 37 000 women aged between 44 and 69 at moderate and average risk have received breast cancer risk assessment. The Pilot Programme showed that 97 per cent of breast cancer cases identified through screening were at early stages (stage II or below). The breast cancer risk assessment and screening have been included as part of the services provided by the Woman Health Service and the Elderly Health Service in 2024.
Phase II of the BCSPP was launched in June 2025 to provide subsidised breast cancer screening services to female Hong Kong residents aged 35 to 74 who are at high risk of developing breast cancer (see Annex 1 for details). Eligible women can receive a high level of government subsidy for annual mammography (MMG) screening. Additional ultrasound will be arranged for those who are confirmed to carry specific genetic mutations. For Phase II of the BCSPP, the DH collaborates with three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through public-private partnership programmes. Eligible women may contact any one of the three NGOs' designated clinics (see Annex 2) to make an appointment for assessment. Currently, all service providers do not charge any co-payment from the service users. As of September 28, over 800 women at high risk have undergone MMG screening, with more than 30 referred to specialists for follow-up due to abnormal screening results. The Government will evaluate the effectiveness of Phase II of the BCSPP in a timely manner and review the future development of breast cancer screening.
Meanwhile, to utilise resources more effectively and expand the multidisciplinary primary healthcare service network, the DH's women health services provided at the Woman Health Centres and the designated Maternal and Child Health Centres are being integrated into the district health network of the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission). During the transition period of service integration, those who have already paid their annual fee and are still within the service period will continue to receive relevant services from the DH. The PHC Commission has commenced the integration of women's health services this year in an orderly manner, whereby women's primary healthcare services are provided through three service points named Women Wellness Satellites (WWS), which form a network with District Health Centres/Expresses (collectively DHCs) in 18 districts, and gradually replace the Woman Health Service of the DH.
Women aged 64 or below who wish to receive women's health services must first register as members of the DHCs. The DHCs will arrange health risk and basic women's health assessments as well as family doctor pairing, and arrange for them to receive services at WWSs as needed. For more information, members of the public can visit the WWSwebsite. Those aged 65 to 69 will continue to receive services at theElderly Health Centres of the DH. To address the preventive and screening needs of underprivileged groups, DHCs are in parallel arranging for women who are Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients or holders of valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges to receive the same preventive care and health promotion services for women at selected HA General Out-patient Clinics.
October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month every year to highlight the importance of screenings and promote healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. The DH reminds the public that the symptoms of breast cancer at an early stage are often subtle. Women should familiarise themselves with the normal look and feel of their breasts. If any abnormal changes are noticed, such as lumps in the breast or armpit, dimpling or "orange-skin" appearance of the breast, changes in size or shape, and rash around, in-drawing of, abnormal discharge or bleeding from the nipple, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Source: AI-found images
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
