The Health Bureau (SSM) announced yesterday its Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Screening Scheme, which has been rolled out in phases for female residents, with the first phase being available to all women who have made appointments at women’s health clinics or the newly-established “breast cancer assessment clinic” in local health centres.
An SSM statement said yesterday that in cooperation with a research team of the University of Macau (UM), the bureau has co-developed a breast cancer risk assessment tool in the form of a questionnaire based on “scientific, localised and simple principles”, adding that through the assessment tool, high-risk groups of breast cancer are screened, and a further medical examination can be arranged as early as possible, so as to achieve the goal of “early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment”.
A separate statement by the bureau yesterday noted that breast cancer has always been the first among cancer cases in Macau in the past 10 years. A total of 279 breast cancer cases were reported in 2020, indicating a crude incidence rate of 77.88 per 100,000 females, when its death rate stood at 39 cases, representing a crude mortality rate of 10.9 per 100,000 women and an average five-year survival rate of 88 percent.
While waiting for their breast cancer risk assessment, patients can scan the QR code provided by the nurse and fill in the questionnaire after confirming their identity through their Macao One Account, according to the statement, which pointed out that if the assessment result indicates that the testee belongs to a high-risk group, Health Bureau staff will assist the patient in undergoing a further medical examination.
The statement underlined that the results of breast cancer treatment are “relatively ideal” among all cancers, with the five-year survival rate of breast cancer detected early accounting for more than 90 percent of all cases.
The statement said that the bureau will consider inviting more medical institutions to participate in the next phase, subject to the implementation of the scheme’s first phase.
The separate statement noted that the bureau’s Cancer Patient Resource Centre recorded more than 5,100 people-times involving cancer patients and their families, among which the Nursing Consultation outpatient service received more than 1,600 people, mainly providing home care education and emotional support after radiotherapy or chemotherapy, while the Rehabilitation Nursing Consultation outpatient clinic received more than 1,400 people throughout the year in its rehabilitation exercise classes after breast surgery, gymnastics for senior citizens aged over 60 and healing yoga, among others.
The bureau urged residents to pay more attention to breast health and take precautions by practising a healthy lifestyle, maintaining an appropriate body weight and a balanced diet, doing more physical activity, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and second-hand smoke and extending breastfeeding for those females who have given birth, as well as to pay attention to their breast health and recognise the symptoms of breast cancer themselves.
The bureau also urged females who are at a higher risk of breast cancer, such as those who have a family history of breast cancer and certain genetic mutations including BRCA1 or BRCA2, to check with their doctor about the need for breast cancer screening and learn about the age and frequency of screening.
Meanwhile, the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being held this month.
This undated handout photo provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) yesterday shows local women attending its recently held Breast Cancer Prevention Seminar.
