Lay bare the risks behind rising breast cancer cases in Hong Kong
Josette Chor calls for Hong Kong-wide screening for breast cancer and a survey of the risk factors that are contributing to a big increase in cases
The chief executive proposed in his policy address to subsidise bowel cancer screening for higher-risk groups, marking a major step in local cancer prevention.
Next, the government needs to do the same for Hong Kong women by subsidising breast cancer screening and supporting in-depth research to identify high-risk groups.
While bowel, or colorectal, cancer is the most common cancer in Hong Kong, breast cancer is the most prevalent among local women. The number of cases is rising at an alarming rate, almost tripling from 1,152 in 1993 to 3,419 in 2011. Nine women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, with at least one of them eventually dying from it. The median age of patients in Hong Kong is 54; some 10 years younger than Caucasian women.
Breast cancer isn't just life-threatening. It disrupts everyday life and upsets patients' psychological well-being. According to a report published by the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation last September, in which data from 7,990 patients was analysed, 34.1 per cent felt depressed after learning about the diagnosis and 19.9 per cent refused to accept what was happening to them.
Meanwhile, breast cancer treatments can cause changes to the body and bring serious side effects such as severe vomiting and postmenopausal symptoms.
There have been multiple studies evaluating screening mammography and showing how early detection and early treatment would result in less aggressive treatment that helps prolong life expectancy and improve quality of life.