Prevention is Better Than Cure

In the hustle and bustle of Yau Tsim Mong, many subdivided flats are hidden inside aging buildings. In one of these cramped rooms—barely large enough for a bed and a few belongings—lives Cassy (alias), a single mother struggling to raise her two children, trying to survive the harshness of life in Hong Kong.

When our social workers invited her to take the cervical cancer screening, Cassy hesitated. Why would she need cervical screening? She’d had only one partner—her ex-husband. In her mind, cancer was something that happened to other women, not her.

But we didn’t give up. Through warm conversations, shared time, and the unwavering support of the ladies in our Mutual Help Group, Cassy began to understand that many women avoid screenings due to fear, lack of support, limited awareness, and not enough time. For her children’s sake, she finally agreed to undergo testing.

Cassy was shocked when the results came back: HPV16 with precancerous changes. She sat in stunned silence. “I felt like the ground disappeared beneath me,” she whispered.

Suddenly, the future she had worked so hard to build—for her children—felt threatened. Left untreated, her condition had a high chance of developing into full-blown cervical cancer. Time mattered. She was quickly referred to the Hospital Authority, and treatment began.

When we visited her at home after her procedure, she was filled with gratitude. “If I had delayed… if I hadn’t taken that test… I might not be here to care for my children who need me,” she said. “Thank you, Christian Action, for refusing to let me fall through the cracks.”

I shared Cassy’s story at the Hong Kong Women’s Checkup Week Luncheon, hosted by Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited on 23rd May 2025. Her experience served as a powerful reminder to all of us. To every woman reading this: Please don’t wait. A simple screening can save your life. It saved Cassy’s. Because awareness isn’t enough—action is everything.

With blessings,
Siew Mei