Every day, One woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer in Hong Kong.
Sign up for your screening today, Protect your Pearls for tomorrow.
Beginning in May 2026 the Karen Leung Foundation will once again be supporting women who want to prioritize self-care & prevention and book a screening with our community-based FREE HPV screening programme.
The vast majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), and is a sexually transmitted STI affecting women and men. Studies show that 80% of women will have been infected with HPV by age 50. Not all infections progress to cancer—hence early detection and screening are critical.
Please register your interest in joining our FREE HPV screening programme please click HERE.
FAQs
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, though rates vary by region. In Hong Kong, it ranked as the 7th most common cancer and the 9th leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, based on 2023 registry data.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause, responsible for over 99% of cases. HPV often spreads through sexual contact, but most infections clear up naturally on their own. Persistent infections, however, can lead to abnormal cell growth in the cervix and eventually cancer.
There are over 100 types of HPV, but only about 14 are high-risk for cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the most dangerous, causing around 70% of cervical cancers. There’s no specific treatment for HPV itself, but it clears naturally in most women within two years.
You can lower your risk with healthy habits like avoiding smoking, practicing safe sex, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The most effective steps are getting the HPV vaccine (best before becoming sexually active) and regular screening. Vaccination reduces risk a lot but doesn’t fully protect everyone, so screening is still key.
In Hong Kong, Pap smears (cytology) or co-testing were the standard tools until April 2023. Now, HPV DNA testing is the primary screening method recommended for women aged 25–64. While some Asia-Pacific countries offer self-testing for HPV DNA, Hong Kong still uses clinician-collected samples, typically every 3–5 years based on results.