Say "NO" to Chronic Diseases

Colorectal cancer screening

Who should be screened?
  • People aged 50 – 75 years old
  • Family medical history of colorectal cancer
  • History of colonic polyps
  • Prolonged bowel inflammation
Screening tests

Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): (should be done every 1 – 2 years)

  • FOBT is a stool test, which detects hidden blood in stool samples, even in tiny amount indicating bleeding somewhere in the bowel.

 

Colonoscopy: (Should be done every 10 years)

  • Inspection of the entire colon with the help of a 1.6m scope.
  • The procedure takes about 15 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Bowel preparation and low residue diet is required.
  • To reduce anxiety and pain, sedative drugs and pain killers are injected right before the examination.
  • During the procedure, tissue samples are obtained and polyps can be removed.

 

Sigmoidoscopy: (Should be done every 5 years)

  • Flexible tube to inspect the walls of the rectum and the lower colon.
  • Procedure is similar to colonoscopy.
Colorectal cancer screening pilot programme

To join the Pilot Programme, you should:

  • Aged between 50 and 75
  • Have already registered in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (EHRSS)
  • Have a Hong Kong Identity card or Certificate of exemption


Faecal immunochemical test (FIT): a new version of Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is used.

Complete list of primary care doctors with address
Key steps of Colorectal cancer screening pilot programme