Media

"Lung Cancer Fighter Program" for lung cancer patients and caregivers Preliminary results announcement and recruitment for second phase

06 Sep 2016

The Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) jointly organised the first ‘Lung Cancer Fighter Program’ in Hong Kong in the middle of this year, with the aims to improve the quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing of lung cancer patients and their family caregivers.

This press conference will announce preliminary findings from the first phase of the program, including:
1. Caregivers in the family experienced a higher level of psychological distress than the patients;
2. The well-being of both caregivers and patients tended to be inter-related;
3. The Lung Cancer Fighter Program significantly improved the quality of life for patients and their caregivers in multiple domains.

Date: September 8, 2016 (Thursday)
Time: 11:00 am
Venue: Social Sciences Chamber, 11/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU
Speakers: Professor Cecilia Chan, Professor Daniel Wong, & Dr. Amy Chow, The Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU; Ms. Polly Lim, The Hong Kong Cancer Fund 

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Hong Kong, with more than 4,000 new cases every year*. Despite the advancement in medical treatments over the past decade and subsequent reduction in mortality rates, lung cancer patients have to face substantial challenges including side effects of treatments as well as psychological distress associated with diagnosis. The family members who take up the role as caregivers also experience high levels of distress, all of which underscore the importance of providing psychosocial support to both parties.

Professor Cecilia Chan, Professor Daniel Wong and Dr. Amy Chow of HKU, as well as Ms. Polly Lim of HKCF will elucidate in the press conference the detail findings of the first phase of the “Lung Cancer Fighter Program” and further discuss the interdependence of the patient and the caregiver in terms of their well-being. Participants from the program will also share the skills they have learned from the program and improvements they have made in coping with cancer.

Recruitment of the second phase of the Lung Cancer Fighter Program will also be announced at the press conference.

Media are cordially invited to cover the event. For media enquiries, please contact Ms Trinni Choy (tel: 2859 2606, email: pychoy@hku.hk)  or Ms Melanie Wan (tel: 2859 2600, email: melwkwan@hku.hk), Communications and Public Affairs Office, HKU.