Hong Kong residents born between 1950 and 1976 can enrol in the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme from January 1, 2026, the Department of Health announced today.

The programme subsidises asymptomatic residents aged between 50 and 75 to undergo screening tests for colorectal cancer every two years in the private sector. Participants should attend a medical consultation provided by an enrolled primary care doctor and receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening.

Participants with positive FIT results will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. People with a negative FIT result are advised to repeat the screening two years later.

As of the end of November, more than 66,000 new participants have enrolled in the programme this year, bringing the total number of participants to more than 579,000. Among them, 15% had positive FIT screening results with about 45,000 participants having benign colorectal tumors, known as adenomas.

Under the programme, about 3,800 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer after colonoscopy examinations, with more than half of those cases in the early stages.

The Centre for Health Protection noted that in 2023, there were 5,467 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases, accounting for 14.4% of all new cancer cases.

Colorectal cancer screenings can identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer and asymptomatic patients, and help them receive early treatment, the centre added.

Eligible residents can join the programme by registering in the Electronic Health System. Call 3467 6300 for details.