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Project SAFE

Screening made Accessible For Everyone

About the Project

In collaboration with PHASE Scientific, the Karen Leung Foundation is offering 200 women a novel non-invasive cervical screening method via urine sampling for HPV DNA testing.

All women participating in Project SAFE will receive a FREE pap smear, combined with a HPV DNA test and a Urine test for women which have not been screen in the last 3 years.

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Project SAFE 2023
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PHASE Scientific HPV Urine Test
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Watch to learn more about the programme here

Participants Guide

  • 1

    STEP 1

    CLICK into the "Sign me up" button on the top right corner and register. PRINT the confirmation note. CALL Kinetics Integrated Medical and Health Centre within two weeks from your sign-up date to arrange an appointment for the FREE screening. Jordan - 3426 9771 Causeway Bay - 3520 3292 Tsuen Wan- 3101 4866 Shatin - 3704 7168
  • 2

    STEP 2

    You will receive a FREE Cervical Cancer Screening consisting of a HPV DNA test, a Pap Smear and Urine test at Kinetics Integrated Medical and Health Centre
  • 3

    STEP 3

    Kinetics Integrated Medical and Health Centre will contact you for an explanation of your test results and to determine if further follow-up is needed.

FAQs

Q. How common is cervical cancer among women?
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A. Cervical cancer is the 8th most common cancer and the 9th leading cause of cancer related deaths amongst women in Hong Kong according to the cancer registry of 2019.
Q. What causes cervical cancer?
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A. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, causing more than 99% of cases. Most HPV infections are spread through sexual contact but are cleared by the body naturally. However, persistent HPV infections can cause abnormal cervical cell growth and lead to cervical cancer.
Q. Are all HPV types cancer-causing?
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A. There are more than 100 types of HPV, but only some are considered high-risk for cervical cancer. HPV 16 and 18 are the highest-risk of all, causing 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
There is currently no treatment for HPV but often the infection clears naturally . In most women, HPV infections clear within two years of detection.
Q. How is cervical cancer preventable?
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A. There are some general preventive measures such as avoiding smoking, practicing safe sex and leading a healthy lifestyle. However, the best ways to prevent cervical cancer are vaccination against HPV and regular cervical cancer screening.

Vaccination works best for young girls before they are sexually active. However, it does not provide full protection. Hence, regular cervical cancer screening is recommended.
Q. What is cervical cancer screening?
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A. Pap smear ( Cytology )/ Co test was the standard cervical cancer screening tool used in Hong Kong.
From April 2023 HPV DNA is recommended as the primary screening tool for cervical screening. Now countries around APAC have introduced self-testing for HPV DNA, but in Hong Kong sample collection method remains the same.
Q. What is a HPV test?
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A. The HPV test looks for the presence of the high-risk HPV. It is significantly more sensitive than the Pap smear and will miss fewer cervical cancer cases.
Q. What is the difference between a Pap smear and a HPV test?
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A. Pap smear looks for abnormal cervical cells while HPV test looks for high risk HPV. HPV test has higher sensitivity than Pap smear.
Q. I have never had sexual intercourse, am i still at risk?
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A. If you have never had any sexual contact with a man or woman, your chance of developing cervical cancer is very low.
Q. If I have had only 1 partner, am I still at risk?
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A. Yes, you are still at risk.
Q. I am having my period, should I get screened later?
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A. Yes, you should get screened after your period ends.
Q. Do I need to pay for the test?
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A. No, it is FREE. This project is jointly supported by PHASE Scientific and the Karen Leung Foundation, which is a charity that provides women with free screenings and vaccination to prevent cervical cancers. We hope to help more women and improve their health.
Q. Is there any more information about cervical cancer and cervical screening in Hong Kong?
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A. You can visit the website of cervical screening programme by Department of Health, HKSAR https://www.cervicalscreening.gov.hk/
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Programme & Promotion Partners

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25/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.
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info@karenleungfoundation.org
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+852 2847 7764

 

 

1. What is self-sampling?

  • Self-sampling means you take a sample yourself at home instead of having to go to a clinic for the doctor to collect a sample.

  • It involves putting in a thin cotton swab into your vagina to obtain the sample. To watch a video on how to obtain a self sample, please refer to the “Videos” in the microsite.

  • The sample is tested for presence of high risk HPV.

  • In some countries, such as the Netherlands and Australia, self sampling has been adopted as part of the routine cervical screening program. In Hong Kong, it is not yet part of the standard screening program.

 

2. Is it painful?

  • The cotton swab is very thin and the tip is soft. It will not be painful to insert, but there may be mild discomfort.

 

3. Is it accurate?

  • A doctor/nurse-collected sample of the cells in the cervix, i.e. a cervical smear, has been the standard method for cervical screening in the past decades.

  • Many studies* have now been done to show that the accuracy of self-sampling with HPV testing approaches that of a cervical smear.

  • Addition of HPV testing to the doctor collected cervical smear sample improves the pick up rate for abnormalities and is currently the most sensitive method.

  • So, if you are too busy to attend a clinic for cervical screening, a self-sample maybe an acceptable option.

  • To have the most accurate test, you are advised to attend a clinic for a doctor/nurse– collected sample.

 

4. Videos & patient instruction on Self-Sampling

  • Please refer to the Self-Sampling video under the “Videos” of the microsite for further description and instruction.

 

*References:
  1. Arbyn M, Verdoodt F, Snijders PJF, et al. Accuracy of human papillomavirus testing on self-collected versus clinician-collected samples: a meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol 2014;15: 172-83.
  2. Arbyn M et al. Detecting cervical precancer and reaching underscreened women by using HPV testing on self samples: updated meta-analyses. BMJ 2018;363:k4823.

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