Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common cancer in Hong Kong, often showing no obvious symptoms in its early stages and thus easily overlooked. The Hong Kong Government has launched the “Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRC)”, providing subsidy for eligible Hong Kong residents to receive screening services in private sector.

The programme consists of two stages: 

Stage 1 – Faecal Occult Blood Test (conducted by Primary Care Doctors); 

Stage 2 (if Stage 1 is positive) – Colonoscopy (conducted by Colonoscopy Specialists). 

Tamarind Specialists, as a participating medical clinic, offers full-stage services for both faecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy at its specialist centres for eligible individuals. 

Our Family Medicine Specialist is registered as Primary Care Doctor under the programme, while all our Colorectal Surgeons are registered as Colonoscopy Specialists. A professional team will be with you every step of the way to safeguard your health, helping residents identify risks early and prevent the development of cancer.

According to the Department of Health, you are eligible to participate in this programme if you meet the following criteria:

Age eligibility: aged 50 to 75.

Identification: hold a Hong Kong Identity Card# or Certificate of Exemption

System Registration: registered in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth registration). 

Exclusions: exclude those with colorectal cancer symptoms, high-risk factors (such as personal history of colorectal cancer, first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis or hereditary bowel disease), or who have undergone relevant examinations within specified periods (for more details, please refer to the official link). 

#Except those who obtained their Hong Kong Identity Card by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to them and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid.

Note: If you have any of the above symptoms of colorectal cancer or high-risk factors, we recommend that you contact a specialist for screening and diagnosis.

About Tamarind Specialists’ Colorectal Surgeons: Our Colorectal Surgeons | Tamarind Specialists

About Tamarind Specialists’ Colorectal Health Screening Program: Colorectal Cancer Screening | Book Now |Tamarind Specialists

Tamarind Specialists is committed to providing you with a clear colorectal cancer screening process with no hidden fees. The entire screening programme consists of two stages:

Stage 1: Fecal Occult Blood Test (Fully funded by the government; you do not need to pay any additional fees)

Consultation with our Specialist: You will first meet with a family medicine specialist at Tamarind Specialist Centre to assess your eligibility for the programme.

Home Sample Collection: Once eligible, you will receive a “Fecal Occult Blood Test collection tube.” Simply collect the sample at home and return it to the designated collection point.

Report Follow-up: The doctor will notify you of your test results. (Consultation and testing fees for this stage are fully covered by the government.)

Stage 2: Colonoscopy and Polypectomy

If your Stage 1 results are positive, there is no need to worry unduly. You will be referred to a colorectal surgeon at our centre or to a colonoscopy specialist of your choice for a government-subsidised colonoscopy.

Transparent Pricing: At Tamarind Specialists, the additional fee for a colonoscopy performed by a colorectal specialist (including polyp removal during the procedure) is HK$1,000.

Contact us Now – Enquire or register for the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme.

The main steps of the programme include: 

1. Conducting a non-invasive faecal occult blood test to detect microscopic blood invisible to the naked eye; 

2. If positive, arranging colonoscopy and polyp removal. 

Registration with the Electronic Health Record Sharing System is required before joining, and all processes are recorded via a dedicated system. The Department of Health emphasises that correct sample collection is crucial: 

• store the FOBT tubes in a cool place;
• avoid collection during haemorrhoid bleeding or diarrhoea;
• use one FOBT tube for each bowel movement and do not allow stool to be in contact with urine or toilet water; 
• label with your full name and specimen collection date, seal in bags, and return to the collection point within four days of the first collection. Sample collection points have fixed opening hours; participants should check in advance (details available via the official link).

Negative result: This indicates that blood is not detected in the stool specimen. However, since no screening test is 100% accurate, we recommend that you repeat the test every two years and continue to monitor your bowel health.

Positive result: This indicates blood is detected in the stool specimen. Please do not worry unduly; this does not necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer. Occult blood in the stool may be caused by other conditions such as hemorrhoids, intestinal inflammation, or benign polyps. Tamarind Specialists’ family doctor will explain your test results in detail and refer you to a colorectal specialist for a follow-up consultation and colonoscopy.

The Government Subsidised Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme is an important cancer prevention measure in Hong Kong. Early action can effectively reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Eligible Hong Kong residents can opt to contact Tamarind Specialists to arrange assessment and join the programme, safeguarding your own and your family’s health. 

Contact us Now – Enquire or register for the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme.

More information:

About Government Subsidised Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme: https://www.colonscreen.gov.hk/en/public/index.html 

About Colorectal Cancer: https://www.tamarindspecialists.hk/en/conditions/colorectal-cancer 

About Colonoscopy:  https://www.tamarindspecialists.hk/en/procedures/colorectal-colonoscopy 

About Other Colorectal Health Screening in Tamarind Specialists: https://www.tamarindspecialists.hk/en/health-screening/colorectal-health-screening