Department of Health Promotes Cervical Cancer Awareness: Vaccination and Screening Encouraged for Women’s Health

Take action to prevent cervical cancer in support of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) urged members of the public to support Cervical Cancer Awareness Month by adopting healthy lifestyles and taking effective precautionary measures against cervical cancer, including receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and undergoing regular cervical screening.

"The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control. We have consistently pursued the goal of 'early prevention, early detection and early treatment' through vaccination. The Cervical Screening Programme has been launched since 2004. HPV vaccination has been included under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) since 2019, and a high vaccination rate of about 90 per cent has been maintained in recent years. This significantly lowers the risk of cervical cancer in Hong Kong females. The DH also launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme in December 2024, with over 48 000 doses administered so far. The Government will further expand cervical screening services to encourage more women to undergo screening and safeguard their health," said Dr Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) designated January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and motivate actions against cervical cancer, with the goal of eliminating this public health concern within the next century.

In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the seventh most common female cancer in 2023 and the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths among females. As most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV, women are recommended to receive HPV vaccination before having sexual relations, undergo regular cervical screenings and practise safe sex (such as using condoms and avoiding multiple sexual partners) to prevent HPV infection. In addition, smoking should be avoided as it can increase the risk of cervical cancer.

HPV vaccination

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"HPV vaccination is among the most effective measures for cervical cancer prevention, especially for those who have never been exposed to HPV infection, i.e. before their first sexual encounter. Since the 2019/20 school year, the DH has been providing free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary 5 schoolgirls under the HKCIP. The DH's School Immunisation Teams provide the first dose of vaccine to Primary 5 female students at their schools, and the second dose will be given to them when they reach Primary 6 during the following school year. The second dose coverage rates of HPV vaccination for Primary 6 girls in the school year 2024/25 has reached 92 per cent," Dr Tsui said.

In December 2024, the DH launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme, offering free catch-up vaccinations to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination. Eligible persons only need to register with eHealth, and can schedule an appointment through the website or by calling 2855 1333 to receive a free HPV vaccination at Women Wellness Satellites (WWSs) or designated District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses (DHCEs) under the Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau. The programme is to last for about two years. Details can be found on the DH's website.

Cervical screening

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Infection with HPV or early stages of cervical cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. Therefore, women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical screenings. Members of the public can access information about cervical screenings via the DH website. The DH also regularly sends reminders to eligible women via the Cervical Screening Information System and the eHealth mobile app to schedule their screenings.

Cervical screening services are available at Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the DH, WWSs, as well as through non-governmental organisations and private healthcare providers. Common screening methods include HPV testing and/or a cytology examination (also called a cervical smear or pap smear) performed by healthcare professionals. The WHO has also recommended vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing as another reliable method for cervical screening. Starting in 2024, the DH initiated HPV testing of self-collected samples at 11 MCHCs to study the feasibility and acceptability of vaginal HPV self-sampling locally. Moreover, HPV testing of self-collected samples is planned to be rolled out in WWSs in the first quarter of 2026. Details will be announced later on the WWS's website.

It is important to note that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence in Hong Kong or internationally to support the use of self-collected menstrual blood or urine samples for cervical screenings. The DH will continue to review the latest scientific evidence.

Women who wish to receive a cervical screening at MCHCs can schedule an appointment through the 24-hour hotline at 3166 6631, or contact WWSs via itswebsiteor 18 DHCs/DHCEs (website) for personalised primary healthcare services for women including cervical cancer screening. For further information on cervical cancer and screenings, please visit the DH's website.

Life course preventive care plan

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At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the life course preventive care plan. 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 diseases and cancer screening as well as healthy lifestyles according to age, sex and personal factors such as family history. The WWSs offer personalised primary healthcare services for women, including health assessments, individual consultations, cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, etc and will refer cases to family doctors for follow-ups when necessary.

The Department of Health (DH), Photo source: reference image

Man sentenced to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products

A man was sentenced today (March 7) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts to six months' imprisonment for illegally importing alternative smoking products, including 42 600 heat sticks and seven heated tobacco devices. The Department of Health (DH) welcomed the verdict and reminded members of the public and visitors not to bring alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products or herbal cigarettes into Hong Kong, and not to use any alternative smoking products.

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs on March 6 that 42 600 heat sticks and seven heated tobacco devices had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man arriving from Guangzhou. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual.

Since the amendments to theTobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors,took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 17 cases involving importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Nineteen persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to six months.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and isliable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

TACO will continue to closely monitor and enforce the law to combat related offences.

In addition, the DH also cautions the public that alternative smoking products are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, and or visitwww.livetobaccofree.hkfor information on quitting.

Source: AI-found images