The Shaw Foundation has long been committed to advancing healthcare technology and promoting preventative programmes through collaborations with frontline charities.

In response to the high incident of breast cancer in Hong Kong, the Shaw Foundation has joined hands for the first time with Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation, Jing Yuan Charity Foundation, and Ruttonjee & Vera Ruttonjee Desai Charitable Fund to support the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation in launching a large-scale early breast cancer screening initiative.

With a total donation of HK$7 million, the initiative aims to strengthen the hardware and service capacity for early breast cancer detection. Women from underprivileged background will benefit from the programme.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Hong Kong. According to 2023 figures from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, 5,585 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. One in every 13 women is at risk of developing the disease in her lifetime, and approximately 15 women die from the disease each week. These statistics underscore the urgent need for effective early detection and intervention.

The initiative focuses on three key areas: equipment upgrades, advanced technologies, and subsidised breast cancer screening. The Shaw Foundation has funded Hong Kong’s first fourth-generation Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS), which uses fully automated scanning technology to capture objective 3D ultrasound images of the entire breast. This enables radiologists to repeatedly examine tissue variations from multiple angles after image acquisition, improving the detection of micro-lesions and facilitating future image comparison and follow-up. The system also significantly accelerates the screening process and enhances overall efficiency.

Representatives of the four foundations gathered to officiate the project launch.

Hong Kong’s first fourth‑generation Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS), funded by The Shaw Foundation, strengthens early breast cancer detection through faster screening and enhanced diagnostic precision.

The project also includes a mammography system equipped with Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy (VAB) and Contrast-Enhanced Mammogram (CEM) capabilities, further enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

A breast cancer screening subsidy scheme will offer free or subsidised mammography to women aged 40 to 74 from low-income households, with ultrasound screening provided as needed. Women who hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and have never had a mammogram, as well as recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA), Old Age Living Allowance, or Disability Allowance are eligible for full subsidies. Those whose monthly household income meets specified criteria can receive half subsidies.