The Health Bureau (SSM) launched a new programme on Saturday to remind female residents to undergo their cervical cancer screening, where participants will be reminded via phone calls, according to an SSM statement on Friday.
Eligible residents, those who are aged between 21 and 65, can enrol in the programme through the “Macao One Account” mobile app or in person at the city’s 14 screening service locations, the statement said.
Cervical cancer is a common and life-threatening malignancy among women worldwide, the statement said, adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment through HPV vaccination before the age of 15, regular screening and appropriate treatment of precancerous lesions or cervical cancer, so as to reduce the incidence and mortality rates.
However, factors such as busy urban life often make women of the relevant age group neglect or forget to undergo regular screening, hence the launch of the programme, the statement pointed out.
Areia Preta Health Centre Chief Chou Mei Fong said in a media interview yesterday that more than 18,000 people participated in the cervical cancer screening programme in Macau last year, and that the median age of women receiving screening for the first time in Macau in the past 10 years was 44, which she considered to be late.
Chou also pointed out that many women overlooked the importance of screening, and that the proportion of young and middle-aged women taking part in the programme was on the decline.
Interested individuals can call the bureau through its hotline during office hours on 2831 3731 or email the bureau at info@ssm.gov.mo.
This poster provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) on Friday urges eligible female residents to undergo cervical cancer screening.
