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Mrs Fok was speaking at the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society at the Nam Long Hospital today (Friday).
Noting that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle was primary in preventing cancer, Mrs Fok said: "The Government in May this year set up the Health Care and Promotion Fund, with an injection of $80 million.
"The Fund provides financial support to health care promotion projects that encourage people to change their lifestyle towards a state of optimal health."
Early detection is also important in reducing the mortality and morbidity of cancer patients.
Since the Department of Health opened its first woman health centre in May last year, breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening were provided to over 3,000 and 3,500 women respectively.
"Thanks to these screening programmes, 24 women have been identified to be in the early stages of these forms of cancer and are now receiving appropriate treatment," Mrs Fok said, adding that a further 69 cases of suspected cancer were being investigated.
Another centre will be opened in Chai Wan early next year, and a third planned for the New Territories in 1997.
The Secretary also paid tribute to the Society for imparting knowledge on cancer to the community. These include educational talks in schools and community centres, and a weekly column on cancer in a local newspaper.
In addition, it has joined hands with the Hospital Authority in promoting hospice care through the organising of a three-week programme - Hospice Awareness 1995.
Furthermore, a three-month open house programme launched by Nam Long Hospital, is still on-going and provides the public an opportunity to get to know more about hospice care.
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