International Cancer Foundation Launches in HK with 10,000 Free Screening Subsidies
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCES1 day ago3 MIN
Summary
The International Cancer Prevention and Control Charity Foundation (ICF) officially launched in Hong Kong on September 23, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the city's cancer prevention efforts. According to World Health Organization statistics, cancer claims approximately 10 million lives globally each year, with over 20 million new cases diagnosed annually. The founding organizations—the International Society for Oncology and Cancer Therapy (ISOPT) and the Hong Kong Association for External Exchange and Friendship (HKAEF)—aim to bring cancer prevention into schools, communities, workplaces, and households across Hong Kong. The foundation's mission statement proclaims: "Prevent cancer before it spreads, control it through early screening and treatment; Successful cancer prevention creates a healthier, more beautiful world."
Key Points
- The establishment ceremony took place at the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel on September 23, 2026, with founding figures including Professor Charles Balch (honorary president), Leung Mei-fun (co-chairperson), and Lam Shun-chiu (chairperson) delivering speeches
- The foundation will offer 5,000 to 10,000 free cancer screening subsidies for high-risk individuals, covering mammography (breast cancer), prostate ultrasound for PSA testing, liver ultrasound, and low-dose chest CT scans for lung cancer
- Over a dozen political parties and community organizations have endorsed the "Hong Kong Cancer Prevention Campaign," including the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the Liberal Party, the Business and Professional Alliance for Hong Kong, and various professional and district associations
- The foundation's 54-member council includes prominent figures such as Professor Lau Chak-sing (Dean of HKU's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine), Professor Chiu Wai-man (Dean of CUHK's Faculty of Medicine), Professor Lee Tsun-hung (Dean of HKUST's School of Medicine), former Food and Health Bureau chiefs Professor Sophia Chan and Dr. Ko Wing-man
- In response to the trend of cancers affecting younger populations, the foundation plans to launch an online health education platform, host CEO roundtables for workplace cancer prevention, and establish an international cancer journal focused on prevention and early detection
Why It Matters
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Hong Kong, with approximately 15,000 annual deaths accounting for about 30 percent of all deaths in the territory. The foundation's initiative addresses a critical gap by providing accessible screening for high-risk populations who might otherwise forgo testing due to cost barriers. Moreover, the explicit goal of exporting Hong Kong's cancer prevention model through Belt and Road initiatives positions the city as a regional leader in global health governance, extending its influence beyond local borders to contribute to "health silk road" efforts in developing nations with limited medical resources.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Hong Kong, with approximately 15,000 annual deaths accounting for about 30 percent of all deaths in the territory. The foundation's initiative addresses a critical gap by providing accessible screening for high-risk populations who might otherwise forgo testing due to cost barriers. Moreover, the explicit goal of exporting Hong Kong's cancer prevention model through Belt and Road initiatives positions the city as a regional leader in global health governance, extending its influence beyond local borders to contribute to "health silk road" efforts in developing nations with limited medical resources.