Jockey Club supports efforts to prevent bowel cancer

11/19/2011

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Hong Kong, with 4,000 new cases per year reported.  In a bid to boost public awareness of the disease, the CUHK Jockey Club Bowel Cancer Education Centre, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, organised a health education exhibition at the Garden Square in City One Shatin today (19 November).

Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li joined Founding Director of the Centre Professor Joseph Sung, Hospital Authority New Territories East Cluster Chief Executive Dr Fung Hong and The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Chairman Dr Ko Wing Man at the opening ceremony.

Noting the growing trend of bowel cancer in Hong Kong, Dr Li said there was a need to enhance public education on this issue. “The Jockey Club has supported CUHK to run this five-year project as we think it’s important to boost public understanding of the cause, symptoms, treatment and preventive measures of the disease," he explained.  "This will help the public to understand the value of regular check-ups so as to reduce the prevalence and mortality rate of bowel cancer."

At today’s exhibition, the public were able to learn more about the importance of preventing the disease through various interactive displays, including a gigantic colon tunnel called “Jumbo Colon” and illustrated models of a colonoscopy and the endoscopic removal of an adenoma.

Made possible by the Trust’s funding of HK$16.1 million, the “Bowel Cancer in Hong Kong: Education, Promotion and Screening” project was launched and the Bowel Cancer Education Centre established by the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2007.  The project allows 10,000 asymptomatic people to undergo free faecal occult blood tests or colonoscopies.  So far, nearly 8,000 eligible people have been screened by the programme.  The project also covers public awareness campaigns, training for peer educators and talks to increase public understanding of the causes, symptoms, cures and prevention of the disease.  Further details are available at www.idd.med.cuhk.edu.hk/bowelcancer.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, the Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.