Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot Programme Phase 3 to start tomorrow
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A spokesman for the Department of Health said that colorectal cancer screening can help identify people who are more likely to have or already have the disease, so that treatment can be provided earlier to improve the chances of a cure. He called on eligible persons to join the Programme as early as possible.
In September last year the Government launched a three-year Pilot Programme to subsidise asymptomatic Hong Kong residents born from 1946 to 1955 to undergo screening tests in phases.
The screening pathway of the Programme comprises two stages: (1) Eligible persons first make an appointment with an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD). Upon enrolment, the participant will receive a government subsidy to undergo the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT); and (2) If the FIT result is positive, the participant will be referred by the PCD to undergo colonoscopy examination in order to find out the cause of bleeding. The participant may choose any colonoscopy specialist (CS) enrolled in the Pilot Programme.
To encourage the participation of eligible persons and their completion of the screening pathway, the screening process is heavily subsidised by the Government. For FIT screening, the enrolled PCDs usually provide one consultation for each participant and arrange a second consultation only if the FIT result is positive. The Government will provide a subsidy amount of $280 for each consultation. As for the colonoscopy examination, the subsidy amount is $7,800 if no polyp is detected, while the amount will be $8,500 if polyp(s) are found and removed. The costs of the laboratory test for FIT and the histopathology are covered by the Government.
As of November 17, 644 PCDs had enrolled in the Programme, with about 97 per cent of their service locations not charging any copayment. Among the 154 CSs who had enrolled, about 80 per cent of their service locations do not require copayment for the standard package of colonoscopy services if there is no removal of polyps, while 68 per cent do not charge copayment even if removal of polyps is required. Copayments charged by individual CSs, if any, are capped at $1,000. Copayment amounts are required to be exhibited on a designated poster in the clinic as well as on the www.colonscreen.gov.hk thematic website.
Those who are interested in enrolling in the Pilot Programme can visit the thematic website for more information and the list of enrolled PCDs and CSs. They can also call the Programme hotline 3565 6288, which is manned by trained staff to provide a direct response to enquiries during office hours. Prospective participants are advised to make an advanced booking with the PCD so that they may receive screening services at leisure.
Eligible persons are also reminded to enroll in the electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) prior to joining the Pilot Programme. For details, please visit the eHRSS website at www.ehealth.gov.hk or call the Registration Office at 3467 6300.
Ends/Sunday, November 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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