DH’s Elderly Health Centres to provide breast cancer screening service for members
The Department of Health (DH) today (December 10) announced that all 18 Elderly Health Centres (EHCs) of the DH starting from next Monday (December 13) will provide breast cancer screening service for eligible female members, as part of the services under the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme.
The Government earlier announced (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202109/02/P2021090100619.htm) that the pilot programme, which started on September 6 for a period of two years, provides screening service for eligible women with the aim of detecting early breast cancer in women before any symptoms appear, so that treatment can be carried out early to prevent the cancer from getting worse.
Under the pilot programme, apart from the three Woman Health Centres, the DH will also use the personalised breast cancer risk assessment tool during health assessment for enrolled female members of the 18 EHCs who are aged between 65 and 69 to assess their risk of developing breast cancer, and provide breast cancer screening as appropriate, starting from December 13. Upon enrolling in the EHC services with an annual fee of $110, eligible female members will pay an additional $225 for mammography per episode. Breast ultrasound scanning as a supplementary examination may be arranged for them if necessary.
Fees will be waived for persons who are receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, holders of waivers of medical charges under the Medical Fee Waiving Mechanism of Public Hospitals and Clinics, or Level 0 Voucher Holders of the Pilot Scheme on Residential Care Service Voucher for the Elderly.
Currently, persons aged 65 or above are eligible to enroll as members of an EHC. Enrolled members are provided with services of health assessment (body check), counselling, health education and curative treatment. For enquiries, please contact the centres concerned during service hours. Details are also available at www.elderly.gov.hk/eindex.html.