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
