Breast Cancer Awareness For Foreign Domestic Helpers In Hong Kong

(published on September 21, 2023)

Table of Contents

In response to the Pink October organised by Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, HelperChoice would like to increase awareness of foreign migrant domestic workers (fdws) in Hong Kong towards breast cancer and list affordable screening services and FREE community support available in Hong Kong.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that originates in the cells of the breast. It occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, although it can also affect men, albeit less frequently.

Key Fact About Breast Cancer In Hong Kong

According to the data provided by Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry Report No.9, the risk factors that 14,905 local breast cancer patients share are:

77.7% lacked exercise( they had less than 3 hours of exercise each week)
65.8% had no breastfeeding
38.6% were overweight or obese
37.1% were under high level of stress (>50% of time)

(research and analysis data from the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation)

It is highly recommended for women, including foreign domestic workers (fdws) in Hong Kong to engage in routine breast screening. An effective breast screening programme should encompass self-breast examinations, clinical breast assessments, and mammography screening, empowering individuals to become acquainted with breast alterations and identify breast cancer in its early stages. Extensive research has demonstrated that mammography screening can lead to a significant reduction in mortality rates, lowering them by approximately 25-30 percent.

The Signs Of Potential Breast Cancer

According to the essential information from the World Health Organisation, breast cancer may have one or more of the following symptoms:

a breast lump or thickening, often without pain
change in size, shape or appearance of the breast
dimpling, redness, pitting or other changes in the skin
change in nipple appearance or the skin surrounding the nipple (areola)
abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple

However, people in early stage group may not experience any symptoms at all. It is strongly recommended that all women should have routine women health checkup and breast cancer screening, especially if they are from high risk groups.

Who is at risk?

The primary risk group for breast cancer is women, as the vast majority of cases affect women while a small percentage, around 0.5–1%, of breast cancer cases do occur in men. The approach to treating breast cancer in men largely follows the same management principles as it does for women.

Several factors can heighten the risk of developing breast cancer, including age, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, a family history of breast cancer, prior exposure to radiation, reproductive history (such as the age at which menstrual cycles began and the age at first pregnancy), tobacco use, and the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy. The study also shows that roughly half of all breast cancers in women who possess no discernible risk factors for the disease other than being female and being over the age of 40.

Having a family history of breast cancer does elevate one’s risk, but it’s essential to recognize that most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the condition. Therefore, the absence of a known family history does not necessarily imply a reduced risk.

Moreover, certain inherited gene mutations with a high penetrance significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. The most notable mutations occur in the BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB-2 genes. Women discovered to have these major gene mutations may contemplate risk reduction measures, such as the surgical removal of both breasts.

If diagnosed with breast cancer…

If domestic workers are diagnosed with breast cancer, there are several steps they can take to manage their condition and seek appropriate treatment and support:

Consult a Health care Professional: The first and most crucial step is to consult with a health care professional, such as an oncologist or breast cancer specialist. They will provide a comprehensive assessment of the diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment Options: The treatment for breast cancer can vary depending on the stage and type of cancer. Common treatment options include surgery (such as lumpectomy or mastectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The health care team will discuss which treatments are suitable for the domestic workers’ specific case.
Support System: It’s essential to build a strong support system for domestic workers who are diagnosed with breast cancer. This can include the employer, friends, family and support groups for breast cancer women. Emotional support is crucial during the treatment journey for domestic workers as well.
Financial Assistance: In Hong Kong, there are some organisations providing eligible women diagnosed with breast cancer financial assistance or health insurance options in order to help cover the costs of breast cancer treatment. It’s essential for foreign domestic workers (fdws) to access these options to ease the financial burden.
Follow Medical Advice: It’s crucial for domestic workers to follow the medical advice provided by the health care team diligently. This includes attending all scheduled appointments, taking prescribed medications, and following recommended lifestyle changes.
Nutrition and Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, can contribute to overall wellbeing and may help manage side effects of treatment.
Alternative Therapies: Some people may explore complementary or alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, or meditation to help cope with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment. It’s essential to discuss these options with the health care team. HelperChoice provides foreign migrant domestic workers FREE community yoga classes for their wellbeing. You may follow HelperChoice Facebook page and Instagram to stay tuned for more community events and social support.
Legal Rights: As per employment contract and the labour law in Hong Kong, foreign domestic workers (fdws) may have legal rights and protections related to their health condition. During the breast cancer treatment period, domestic workers may need to take some day-offs. Employers should show their understanding and care in this situation. Termination due to domestic workers’ sickness is unethical and illegal. Domestic workers may also spend time discussing with their employer about their health insurance coverage and medical expenses as well as the plan to re-arrange the tasks due to their absence at work. For more details, domestic workers may consult with the maid agency or NGO or relevant authorities to understand these rights.
Mental Health Support: A breast cancer diagnosis can be emotionally challenging for domestic workers. Seeking the assistance of a mental health professional or counsellor can help them and their employer cope with the psychological impact of the diagnosis and treatment. Self-care is also important for domestic workers.
Cancer Education: Learning about breast cancer, its treatment, and potential side effects can empower domestic workers to make informed decisions and actively participate in their care.

It’s important to note that each breast cancer diagnosis is unique, so the treatment plan and support system should be tailored to the domestic workers’ specific circumstances. The health care team will play a crucial role in guiding the individual through their treatment and recovery journey.

Breast Cancer Screening Service Type And Fees

If foreign domestic workers (fdws) have a family history of breast cancer or breast cancer symptoms (as mentioned above), they may consider the following types of breast cancer screening service:

Ultrasound – HK$950-2,450
2D/3D Mammogram – HK$520-4000
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – HK$9,340-12,850

The cost varies depending on whether it is public hospital or private clinic AND whether such medical expense is fully or partially covered in domestic workers’ mandatory helper insurance scheme. Therefore, domestic workers should sit and talk to their employer about their health condition and the support they need from their employer.

Accessible Support & Resources For Domestic Helpers

It may be challenging for foreign domestic helpers to seek professional healthcare regarding breast cancer screening service and treatment in Hong Kong due to the financial restriction and their intense work schedule. However, foreign domestic helpers may ask help and support from the following organisations.

Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organisation that can provide FREE individual counselling, telephone peer support, social group activities, bilingual educational booklets for people diagnosed with breast cancer. It also provides FREE screening hotline: 3143 7333
Click here for more information.
Patient Support Hotline: 2525 6033
Woman Health Service (a public health care service under the Health Department of Hong Kong Government) provides health assessment, detailed nursing interview and medical consultation for health risk assessment of some common chronic diseases, e.g. hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyper-cholesterolaemia, as well as colorectal, cervical and breast cancers for women in Hong Kong. It also provides women health and breast cancer awareness education and individual counselling. For foreign domestic workers (fdws), they may subscribe the service for HK$850 per year. If necessary, domestic workers may consult the doctor’s advice and have the appointment for breast cancer screening service at HK$510.
Hong Kong Anti Cancer Society, an organisation provides essential information and education about cancers. It also launches funds designated to cancer patients who are in financial plight in order to ease their financial burden.

You might also be interested in:

Find A Domestic Helper In Hong Kong | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency

About HelperChoice

HelperChoice is a reputable maid agency that holds a valid license approved by the Labour Department Hong Kong. The agency offers an online platform for direct hiring of domestic helpers and facilitates visa processing services specifically for Filipino maids. With a vast network, HelperChoice has successfully served over 75,000 employers in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing access to a pool of more than 20,000 domestic worker profiles. The agency maintains collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, including Enrich Hong Kong, Help For Domestic Workers, and PathFinders, organizing workshops and webinars to support foreign migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.

How To Find A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice Platform?

On HelperChoice platform, both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers are available for employer’s selection. The employer can find a suitable helper in accordance with their family’s needs and specific skills required, for example, the helper’s year of experience in child care, pet care or elderly care, cooking skill, nationality, training certificates, the ability of speaking Chinese (if applicable), reference letter from the previous employer, contract status (finished contract, break contract, terminated contract due to good reasons), current location (Hong Kong or overseas) and such.

Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids

Employers are required to renew the employment contract and visa for foreign domestic helpers every two years at the Immigration Department and the respective Consulate. If you need assistance with processing the contract and visa for a Filipino maid, you can reach out to the HelperChoice team via Whatsapp. Normally, the visa renewal takes around two weeks to complete. Most visa processing packages include a mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic workers. For more information, please contact us via Whatsapp.

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