NCD Watch

Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer

21 June 2022 (Tue)

Cervical cancer is one of the common cancers threatening women’s health. In Hong Kong, it was the eighth most common female cancer with 520 new cases in 2019 and the eighth leading cause of cancer death in women with 159 deaths in 2020.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection of cancer-causing (or high-risk types of) human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection is usually found in people who have ever been sexually active. Among the many types of HPV, HPV-16 and 18 are the most common genotypes. In Hong Kong, HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 accounted for about 90% of cervical cancer cases. All the above genotypes are included in the 9-valent HPV vaccine. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Scientific Committee on AIDS and STI under the Centre for Health Protection have jointly recommended incorporating HPV vaccination in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. Starting from the 2019/20 school year, the Department of Health (DH) provides the first dose of 9-valent HPV vaccine to Primary Five school girls, and the second dose when they reach Primary Six in the following school year.

However, HPV vaccines alone cannot offer 100% protection from cervical cancer as it does not protect against all types of HPV, regular cervical screening among females is equally important. Cervical screening aims to timely detect and treat pre-cancerous changes of the cervix or early cancer before symptoms appear. The Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening recommends women aged 25 to 64 who ever had sexual experience (including those being HPV vaccinated) to have regular cervical screening. Since 2004, DH has launched the Cervical Screening Programme (CSP) in collaboration with the healthcare sector to facilitate and encourage women to have regular cervical screening to prevent cervical cancer. Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and Women Health Centres of the DH provide cervical screening services. To book an appointment, please call the Cervical Screening Service 24-hour Phone Booking and Information Hotline 3166 6631. For more information about the CSP, please visit the designated website at www.cervical screening.gov.hk.

The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to reducing the burden of cervical cancer among local females. Members of the public are also urged to take appropriate precautions (such as practicing safer sex) to reduce the risk of contracting HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Let’s work together and make the vision of eliminating cervical cancer a reality.

Source: NCD Watch June 2022