Money, privacy fears stop many from taking up free screening

A program offering vital cancer screening is struggling to attract all migrant and rural women due to fears over privacy and money, experts say.

This year is the first time residents without hukou, or permanent residency, have been the focus of the citywide Beijing Women's Federation project, which offers free tests for breast and cervical cancers. It means an extra 100,000 women could potentially benefit.

However, many women from low-income and rural families remain reluctant to take part.

Zhan Lin is among 220 female non-hukou workers living in western Shijingshan district's Sanshanyuan community. However, more than a quarter are still to register with the foundation since the screening project was relaunched there this month.

"A friend of mine said she's not willing to be touched for the inspection," said the 41-year-old domestic helper, who moved to the capital from Zhejiang province three decades ago.

"Others don't care that much about illness and are not in the habit of going to see doctors."

Foundation workers say they have long seen similar resistance among women in the countryside.

"Our first notice (advertising the service) hardly worked at all," said Huang Min, chairwoman of the Women's Federation in Chaoyang district, who explained that many women are concerned about the cost.

"In training staff who promote the free screenings and relevant information, we provided a set of services to entice people for the first time, such as little gifts and free ride to hospitals," she said. "We hope the service will be promoted by word of mouth."

In a 2010 report provided by Huang, a survey shows almost half of those who rejected the free screening said the reason was "other".

An Dun, an author who has written extensively about rural women, said the unwillingness is due to the fact this group rarely believe in "free" offers and are reluctant to "reveal the part of their body reserved for their husbands". She added: "Only more education will make the change."

The situation in Shijingshan district's Yuquan Xili community suggests there is more than just a hint of truth to this. Work to attract non-hukou residents there has gone smoothly as most are college graduates, say neighborhood officials.

Breast cancer was the No 1 killer of Beijing women diagnosed with malignant tumors in 2007, according to the capital's Institute of Tumor Prevention and Cure. Cervical cancer was No 9.

However, both conditions can be detected before symptoms appear, which increases the chance of survival.

Between 2008 and 2010, roughly 1.6 million women aged 25 to 65 took up the offer of free screening, show figures from the development department of Beijing Women's Federation.

"Women should be concerned about their health," said migrant worker Zhan, who added that she is determined to convince more of her friends to register.

"The screening helps find problems as early as possible. The later the diagnosis, the more difficult and costlier it is to cure."

China Daily

(China Daily 05/23/2011)