Department of Health
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by a persistent infection of cancer-causing (or high-risk) types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infection is usually found in persons who have ever been sexually active. Although most people with an HPV infection do not have any symptoms and will clear the infection on their own, some females with a persistent HPV infection in the cervix will develop pre-cancerous cell changes. Some of these cell changes may progress to cancer over time.
Regular cervical screening has been proven effective in preventing cervical cancer. Early detection and timely treatment of the pre-cancerous cell changes can reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer, thereby effectively reducing the disease burden of cervical cancer on the society. Data analysis by the Hong Kong Cancer Registry indicates that the stage at diagnosis is one of the most important factors influencing cervical cancer survival. The survival rate decreases with increasing cancer stage. The five-year relative survival rate of cervical cancer was 90.2% at Stage I, which is much higher than that for Stage IV (16.2%). In other words, the earlier that cervical cancer is detected, the earlier treatment can be initiated, and the higher the chance of survival will be.
The Government’s Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening recommends that women aged 25 to 64 who have ever had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical screening.
Women at increased risk should receive screenings based on their doctor’s assessment and recommendations.
To effectively prevent cervical cancer, women should receive regular cervical screening even if they are busy, already vaccinated against HPV, have reached menopause, have no symptoms or have no family history of cervical cancer. Other preventive measures include receiving an HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active, practicing safe sex, and refraining from smoking.
The Cervical Screening Programme (CSP) was launched in collaboration with the healthcare sector to facilitate and encourage women to receive regular cervical screening. Under the CSP, the Cervical Screening Information System (CSIS)—a computerised registry, has been established to store and process related data including participants’ screening results and the next recommended screening date, in order to facilitate data sharing among healthcare providers so that women can receive continuous care for screening services.
In Hong Kong, family doctors, gynaecologists, non-governmental organisations, Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and Woman Health Centres of the Department of Health provide cervical screening services. For the list of service providers registered with the CSIS, please visit www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk/en/serviceproviders.html. For cervical screening services at the MCHCs, please call the Cervical Screening Service 24-hour Phone Booking and Information Hotline at 3166 6631.
To raise public awareness of how to prevent cervical cancer and to encourage women to undergo regular cervical screening, the Department of Health has recently produced a series of two announcements in the public interest with the slogan “Love yourself! Have you had your screening yet?”, which were rolled out in May 2022.
Regular Cervical Screening (1):
Regular Cervical Screening (2):
Further information about cervical cancer prevention and screening can be found on the CSP website at www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk. For information in ethnic minority languages, please refer to the fact sheet at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/25/105436.html.
