What Is Cancer? Understanding the Top 10 Most Common Cancers in Hong Kong and Their Treatment Options

In recent years, cancer diagnoses in Hong Kong have been trending younger for certain types, yet with advancing treatments and early detection, many people now manage cancer successfully and continue leading fulfilling lives.

Although cancer can feel unsettling, continuous advances in medical technology and treatment options mean that many cancers can now be effectively managed when detected early, improving recovery outcomes. As a healthcare partner that cares about the long-term wellbeing of you and your family, Prudential aims to explain cancer in a clear and accessible way — helping you make more informed health and protection decisions so that you can truly safeguard your health.

What Is Cancer?

Think of your body as a highly organised community made of trillions of tiny “workers” called cells. Each cell has a rulebook—its DNA—that tells it when to grow, divide, and eventually stop to keep you healthy. This orderly process is happening in your body right now.

Cancer begins when this rulebook becomes damaged in a single cell. The cell starts to ignore the “stop” signal and multiplies endlessly, creating more faulty cells that don't do their proper jobs. This process of uncontrolled cell growth is the defining feature of cancer. It’s not an infection or a virus you catch; it starts from within when one of our own cells breaks the rules.

As these faulty cells keep multiplying, they can pile up and form a lump or mass known as a tumour. However, finding a tumour isn't always a cause for panic. The crucial distinction is whether the lump is harmless or dangerous.

The Difference Between Benign and Malignant Tumours

Not all tumours are cancerous, and understanding the difference is key. Doctors classify tumours into two main groups: benign or malignant. 

Aspect	Benign Tumour	Malignant Tumour
Growth	Contained, slow	Aggressive, uncontrolled
Spread	Does not metastasise	Can spread to other organs
Threat to life	Rarely Life Threatening	Potentially Serious

• A benign tumour is well-behaved. It might grow in one spot, but it stays contained and doesn't invade other parts of the body. Because they don't spread, benign tumours are not considered cancer and are rarely life-threatening.
  
  
• A malignant tumour is cancerous. Its cells are aggressive and can break away from the original lump. This process of spreading to other parts of the body, like the liver or lungs, is called metastasis. It is this ability to travel and form new tumours that makes cancer so dangerous, as it can damage vital organs far from where it first began.

This distinction is why finding cancer early—before it has had a chance to metastasise —is so critical for successful treatment. With this in mind, let's look at the cancers that most commonly affect people here in Hong Kong.

The 10 Most Common Cancers in Hong Kong

According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, the following were the ten cancers with the highest incidence rates in Hong Kong in 2023. Understanding them is an important first step in cancer prevention.

1.  Lung Cancer: Closely linked to smoking, air pollution, and family history. Common symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Diagnosis usually involves imaging and tissue biopsy.
   
   
2. Breast Cancer: One of the most common cancers among women in Hong Kong. Early stages may be painless, making breast lumps or skin changes important warning signs.
   
   
3. Colorectal Cancer: Associated with high‑fat, low‑fibre diets and sedentary lifestyles. Symptoms include changes in bowel habits and blood in the stool. Regular screening helps with early detection.
   
   
4. Prostate Cancer: More common among middle‑aged and older men. Symptoms may include difficulty or increased frequency in urination. Medical advice should be sought if abnormalities appear.
   
   
5. Liver Cancer: Often linked to chronic hepatitis B or C infections, liver cirrhosis, and excessive alcohol consumption. Early symptoms are often unclear, leading to late‑stage diagnosis.
   
   
6. Uterine (Corpus Uteri) Cancer: Originates from the endometrium and is associated with hormonal imbalance and obesity. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is an important warning sign.
   
   
7. Stomach Cancer: Related to poor dietary habits and Helicobacter pylori infection. Early symptoms are mild and easily overlooked.
   
   
8. Thyroid Cancer: While incidence has increased, overall prognosis is favourable. A painless lump in the neck is a common early sign.
   
   
9. Non‑Hodgkin Lymphoma: Originates in the lymphatic system and commonly presents as painless swollen lymph nodes. Treatment depends on the subtype.
   
   
10. Non‑melanoma Skin Cancer: Commonly caused by prolonged ultraviolet exposure. It is highly preventable and has a high cure rate when detected early.

These cancers are influenced by factors such as lifestyle habits, smoking, air quality, genetic predisposition, and age. As many cancers do not show obvious symptoms in their early stages, regular health check‑ups and awareness of bodily changes are essential components of effective disease management.

Early Warning Signs of Three Common Cancers

Paying attention to changes in your body is one of the most effective ways to detect cancer early. Many cancers send out warning signals at an early stage, and timely action can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

• Colorectal Cancer: Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as prolonged constipation or diarrhoea, or blood in the stool.
  
  
• Lung Cancer: A cough lasting more than two to three weeks, especially if accompanied by blood.
  
  
• Breast Cancer: New lumps in the breast or underarm, as well as changes in breast shape, skin texture, or abnormal nipple discharge.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer, but medical consultation should not be delayed. For those without symptoms, regular cancer screening becomes even more important.

Maintaining healthy habits—quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and following medical advice on vaccinations such as HPV or hepatitis B—can help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Cancer Screening in Hong Kong: Taking a Proactive Approach to Health

Cancer screening acts like a “smoke detector” for the body, helping identify potential problems before symptoms appear. Early detection plays a key role in reducing cancer risk. In Hong Kong, several government‑subsidised screening programmes are available, including:

• Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme: For asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75
  
  
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Recommended for women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience
  
  
• Breast Screening: Women aged 40 or above should consult their doctors about mammography

The goal of screening is not diagnosis but early detection of abnormalities, allowing timely follow‑up and treatment.

Common Cancer Treatment Options

With continuous advancements in medical science, cancer treatment has entered an era of precision and personalised medicine. Doctors tailor treatment plans based on cancer type, stage, and the patient’s overall health status. Common treatment options include4:

• Surgery: Removal of tumours, commonly used for early‑stage cancers
  
  
• Chemotherapy: Uses medication to destroy or inhibit cancer cells
  
  
• Radiotherapy: Employs high‑energy radiation to precisely target cancer cells
  
  
• Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific characteristics of cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue
  
  
• Immunotherapy: Enhances the immune system’s ability to recognise and fight cancer cells
  
  
• Hormonal Therapy: Commonly used for hormone‑sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer

Many patients receive combination therapies to improve effectiveness while maintaining quality of life.

Beyond Treatment: The Importance of Comprehensive and Reassuring Protection

Facing cancer requires support at different stages of the journey. Having the right protection in place helps provide reassurance for both patients and their families throughout treatment and recovery.

• Medical Insurance: Supporting Medical Expenses
  It helps cover medical‑related costs during cancer treatment, including hospitalisation, surgery, and specified therapies, easing immediate financial pressure and allowing patients to focus on recovery.
  
  
• Critical Illness Insurance: Supporting Daily Living Needs
  After a cancer diagnosis, patients may need to stop working temporarily or adjust their work arrangements. Critical illness (cancer) insurance provides a lump‑sum payout upon diagnosis, helping cover daily living expenses during periods of reduced income.
  
  
• Value‑added Service: Prudential Hong Kong Cancer Treatment Direct Billing
  Eligible customers may receive cancer treatment at selected medical institutions in Hong Kong or Mainland China and enjoy direct billing services. This arrangement removes the need for upfront payment of eligible medical expenses and simplifies the claims process, allowing patients to focus fully on treatment.

Cancer is not a life sentence—it is a reminder to cherish health, stay alert to bodily changes, and prepare early. By understanding cancer, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, practising ongoing health management, and integrating appropriate health insurance and protection planning, you can face health challenges at every stage of life with greater confidence—truly safeguarding both your health and your loved ones.