Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme Phase I
Based on the recommendations of the Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening (CEWG), the Government adopts a risk-based approach for breast cancer screening. The CEWG recommends that women aged between 44 and 69 with certain combinations of personalised risk factors of breast cancer (including presence of history of breast cancer among first-degree relatives, a prior diagnosis of a benign breast disease, nulliparity and first live birth at a late age, menarche at an early age, high body mass index and physical inactivity) putting them at a higher risk of breast cancer, should consider undergoing mammography screening every two years.
The Department of Health (DH) launched the Phase I of the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme in the latter half of 2021 to provide risk-based breast cancer screening services to eligible women at the three Woman Health Centres, four Maternal and Child Health Centres as well as 18 Elderly Health Centres. The goal is to promptly identify breast cancer patients who have yet to show any symptoms from a risk-stratified group, enabling them to receive timely treatment.
The Woman Health Service under the DH will be integrated into the district health network, to be named as Women Wellness Satellites, of the Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau, forming a network with District Health Centres (DHC)/DHC Expresses in all 18 districts across Hong Kong to provide eligible women with prevention-based and more personalised primary healthcare services.
From 24 January 2025, the three Woman Health Centres (namely the Chai Wan Woman Health Centre, Lam Tin Woman Health Centre, and Tuen Mun Woman Health Centre) and four designated Maternal and Child Health Centres (namely the Ap Lei Chau Maternal and Child Health Centre, Yaumatei Maternal and Child Health Centre, Fanling Maternal and Child Health Centre, and Ma On Shan Maternal and Child Health Centre) under the DH cease accepting new appointments for Woman Health Service. During the transition period of service integration, those who have already made appointments or have paid their annual fee and are still within the service period may continue to receive services at concerned Woman Health Centres or Maternal and Child Health Centres. For details, please visit the website of Family Health Service of the DH.
For information on breast cancer screening services at Elderly Health Centres, please visit the website of Elderly Health Service of the DH.
