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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):
Question:
Regarding primary care services for women and men provided by the Department of Health (DH), will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the top 10 leading causes of death for females and males, as well as the respective numbers of deaths caused by such diseases in 2009; the respective death rates of major gender-related diseases in 2009, including those for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer;
(b) in each of the past three years, of the expenditure of the Woman Health Centres (WHCs) of DH, the total number of women aged 64 or below who received physical examinations and screening tests at WHCs and the 10 Maternal and Child Health Centres of DH, and among these women, the respective numbers of those who had examinations and tests on cervical cancer, breast cancer and the leading causes of death for females in (a) as well as the expenditure on such examinations and tests; and
(c) of the expenditure on the Men's Health Programme of DH in each of the past three years and whether DH had provided physical examinations for men aged 64 or below on prostate cancer and the leading causes of death for males in (a); if so, the expenditure on such physical examinations and the number of recipients; whether the authorities will set up Man Health Centres modelling on WHCs, so as to provide promotive medical services, including health education, counselling, physical examinations and appropriate screening tests for men according to their health care needs at different life stages; if they will, of the details; if not, what channels are available for men aged 64 or below to have access to primary care services in the public healthcare system for disease prevention and health promotion (such as physical examinations)?
Reply:
President,
(a) The ten leading causes of death for male and the number of registered deaths related to these causes in 2009 are set out in the Table 1.
The ten leading causes of death for female and the number of registered deaths related to these causes in 2009 are set out in the Table 2.
In 2009, the number of registered female deaths caused by breast cancer was 555, representing a death rate of 15.0 per 100,000 female population. The number of registered deaths caused by ovarian cancer was 140, representing a death rate of 3.8. The number of registered deaths caused by cervical cancer was 128, representing a death rate of 3.5.
As for male, the number of registered deaths caused by prostate cancer was 306, representing a death rate of 9.3 per 100,000 male population.
In 2009, prostate cancer was the fifth leading cause of male cancer deaths in Hong Kong. Breast cancer was the third leading cause of cancer deaths among female while ovarian cancer and cervical cancer were the eighth and ninth leading causes respectively. The top five causes of cancer deaths by sex in 2009 are set out in the Table 3.
(b) The three Woman Health Centres (on a full-time basis) and ten Maternal and Child Health Centres (on a sessional basis) under the Family Health Service of the Department of Health (DH) provide the woman health service for women aged 64 or below. The expenditure, the number of registered users of the woman health service, and the number of users who have undergone cervical screening and mammography examination in the past three years are set out in Table 4.
The expenditure on cervical screening and mammography examination is included in the overall recurrent expenditure of the woman health service. There is no separate calculation for the expenses arising from them.
(c) DH has always attached importance to health promotion and disease prevention among the whole population and provided services specifically for different age groups and genders having regard to their health needs and risks. On promotion of health among men and prevention of male diseases, DH launched the Men's Health Programme (MHP) in 2002 for provision of health information to the public and raising men's concern and awareness about their own health to improve their lifestyles and promote their health. MHP provides useful information concerning different men's health issues through various channels such as website, roving exhibition, pamphlet and brochure. The expenditure of MHP is included in the overall recurrent expenditure of the Non-communicable Disease Division under DH's Centre for Health Protection. There is no separate calculation of the expenditure of MHP.
While men and women generally suffer from similar diseases, men have special healthcare needs in urology. At present, there are a number of experts in urology in both public and private healthcare sectors. As at January 5, 2011, there were 94 urologists registered with the Medical Council of Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority has set up Urology specialist clinics in its seven hospital clusters to provide treatment of diseases of the urology system and reproductive system, including diseases of the male urology system and prostatic diseases. These Urology specialist clinics also collaborate with other specialties to provide multi-disciplinary consultations for patients, such as those provided in collaboration with the oncology specialty for patients with urological tumours. Besides, other organisations such as the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals also provide men's health services on a non-profit-making basis.
From the perspective of public health, the effectiveness of screening tests for non-communicable diseases varies from population to population. We must therefore consider various factors carefully before a population-based screening programme is introduced. The relevant factors include the prevalence of the disease, the accuracy and the safety of the screening tests, the feasibility of launching screening programme, its acceptance by the public and the effectiveness in reducing the morbidity and mortality rates of the diseases. As to the proposal regarding prostate cancer prevention and screening, the Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening (Working Group) under the Cancer Coordinating Committee made public its review report in September last year, pointing out that information available so far shows that the accuracy of the screening test for prostate cancer is relatively low. Therefore, the Working Group considers that there are insufficient justifications to launch a screening programme for prostate cancer. The Working Group has compiled an information leaflet on prostate cancer for men and their families, and this information leaflet is available on the website of the Centre for Health Protection.
Besides, the most effective way for health promotion and disease prevention is to adopt healthy lifestyle, such as not smoking, having regular exercise and eating healthy diet. The public should also make good use of the services provided by their family doctors. If they have any doubt about their own health condition, they should discuss it with their family doctors for proper checking and treatment according to their personal condition.
Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:14
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