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The Department of Health will hold a series of roving exhibitions from Saturday (July 22) until October in different districts to promote men's health and women's awareness of the importance of cervical screening.
A department spokesman said the general health status of men in Hong Kong was not as satisfactory as that of women because figures in 2004 showed that the life expectancy at birth for men was about six years shorter than that for women.
"As the major causes of death in male adults are closely related to an unhealthy lifestyle, the department's Men's Health Programme aims to enhance men's awareness of the correlation between health and lifestyle and hence to improve their health," he said.
"The roving exhibitions would highlight cervical cancer screening as cervical cancer can cause death, yet it can be prevented or treated if detected early by screening," the spokesman said.
"In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer in 2003 and the eighth leading cause of cancer deaths among females in 2004. By regular cervical screening, abnormal cervical cells can be detected earlier and the chance of successful treatment can be improved," he said.
The exhibitions will include a display of information on the Men's Health Programme and healthy lifestyle for men and the Cervical Screening Programme and prevention of cervical cancer for women. There will be a video show, distribution of booklets and pamphlets and games during the exhibitions. The exhibitions are free and open to the public. All are welcome.
Members of the public can visit the websites of the Men's Health Programme at www.hkmenshealth.com and the Cervical Screening Programme at www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk to obtain more information.
Exhibition Venues
Dates and times for July and August
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1/F, Lei Tung Commercial Centre, Aberdeen
July 22-25, 10am-8pm
2/F, Lok Fu Shopping Centre
July 27-30, 10am-8pm
G/F, Revenue Tower, Wan Chai
August 1-4, 8.30am-6.30pm
G/F, North Point Government Offices
August 7-10, 8.30am-6.30pm
G/F, Kingswood Ginza, Tin Shui Wai
August 14-17, 10am-8pm
G/F, Queensway Government Offices, Admiralty
August 22-25, 8.30am-6.30pm
2/F, Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre, Wong Tai Sin
August 27-30, 9am-7pm
Venues and further details of exhibitions in September and October will be announced later.
Ends/Thursday, July 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:31
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