Media

HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund co-organise the first "Lung Cancer Fighter Course" for lung cancer patients and family caregivers

23 Feb 2016

 

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Hong Kong with more than 4,000 new cases every year. The mortality rate of lung cancer has been declining over the years due to advanced medical treatments. Lung cancer patients are now having higher chance of recovery or prolonged survival. In light of this, the research team of Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund collaborated to offer the "Lung Cancer Fighter Course" to provide psychosocial intervention treatment to lung cancer patients and their family caregivers, with an aim to enhance the quality of life in their journey of fighting cancer.

Psychosocial intervention, as different from the traditional western medical treatments, refers to a range of supportive non-drugs therapies including individual counseling, group activities, relaxation training and education on symptom management. Various international and local studies have suggested that psychosocial interventions could bring positive physical and psychological effects to cancer patients, e.g. pain relief and reduced depressive symptoms, strengthened immunity and lower rate of recurrence.

Previous studies conducted by the HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration on cancer patients also revealed that psychosocial intervention for the patients and their family caregivers were beneficial to both groups. Since 1996, Professor Cecilia L.W. Chan, HKU Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work has been co-organising cancer fighter courses with the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. Courses were offered previously to breast cancer and colorectal cancer patients. This is the first time that the course is extended to lung cancer patients. It is also the first time that family caregivers are included in the programme. A professional team consisting of registered social workers, doctors and researchers will in the course provide psychosocial support for lung cancer patients and their family caregivers.

The course will be held from April 6 to June 18, 2016. Registration will last from February 29 to March 13. A press briefing on course details will be held on February 29 (Monday). Professor Cecilia L.W. Chan, Professor Daniel F. K. Wong and Ms. Chow Sau Fong, Head of Service in the Hong Kong Cancer Fund will brief members of the media the content of the course, and reveal the positive outcomes of previous cancer fighter courses. Participants of previous cancer fighter courses and their family caregivers will share their experience at the press conference.

The details are as follows:
Date: February 29, 2016 (Monday)
Time: 11:00am
Location: Social Sciences Chamber, 11/F, the Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, the University of Hong Kong.

For media inquiries, please contact Ms Melanie Wan (Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk.