TNAG-1724-FCO40-2437-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 203

sap¢1amentary

to quęeton, N testi

LegCo meeting on 3 February

Dr. IP:

Sir, is Government aware that the incidence of

cervical carcinoma can be reduced by 20 per 100,000

carried

if screening tests were out and that there is a 100 per cent

cure for pre-cancerous state if diagnosed early by screening,

in con

ontrast 8nly some 10 per cent for late stages of this

cancer ? If so, taking the matter in perspective,

would Government re

efconsider accepting screening for all

women in spite of a low pickup rate ?

رقاء

SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I think a decision on

introducing universal screening of this type has to depend on

priorities but I will pass to the Director of Medical and

Health Services the information which Dr. IP has provided and

ask him to refconsider whether this should be undertaken.

ঔ

Dr. CHIU: Sir, will the Government inform this Council what

the financial and manpower implications would be if routine

cervical smear screening test for all women aged 30 or above

be introduced ?

were

t&be

SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir. I do not have a

complete answer to that question but I am told that the cost

per smear is $25, so perhaps that gives some indication of

the quite large expenditure which would be incurred if it were

to be applied universally to all women over 30.