Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme

The incidence rate of colorectal cancer has continued to increase, and it even became the most common cancer in Hong Kong in 2011. Therefore, I announced in the 2014 Policy Address that the Government would "subsidise colorectal cancer screening for higher risk groups". I am glad that this three-year subsidy programme will be officially launched tomorrow (September 28).

Starting tomorrow, Hong Kong identity card holders aged 68 to 70 joining the first phase of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme will be provided with subsidised screening tests. The Government will provide fixed subsidies for different kinds of examinations. The Programme will be gradually extended to cover those aged 61 and is expected to benefit 300 000 people.

Care for the elderly is one of the four policy priorities of the current-term Government. The Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme is one of the measures to achieve this policy objective.

September 27, 2016