To protect the health of its women citizens, Beijing government has released a circular outlining a free health-screening plan for its 3.84 million female citizens, to help them check for cervical and breast cancer, the two most fatal cancers for women.

All women citizens, registered as Beijing residents, can go for free screening voluntarily at designated hospitals, said the circular, which was issued by Beijing Municipal Health Bureau.

Women aged 25 to 65 can have a free cervical cancer test, which can normally cost about 20 yuan (about $2.9) of out-of-pocket expense. Women aged 40-60 qualify for free breast exams, which can cost 60 yuan out-of-pocket, according to the circular.

They can go to the district or neighborhood offices to register for the screening, and these offices will decide whether to assign a testing date and hospital for them.

The government also designated 13 hospitals for those who test positive for cancer, in order to provide timely treatment.

"We want to provide a convenient channel for women, helping them do the cancer test as soon as possible. The earlier they find the disease, the more possible the disease can be cured," said Liang Wannian, senior official from the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau.

In China, more than 100,000 new cervical cancer cases are recorded each year, accounting for one-fifth of the world's total.

Last year Beijing chose three districts, including Chaoyang and Fengtai districts, as pilot districts to provide free cancer screening for more than 300,000 women. Thirty-one cases of cervical cancer and 38 breast cancer cases were found.

As early as 2006, the country's Health Ministry had made a early detection and treatment plans in six counties in Shanxi, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Xinjiang provinces and Chongqing city, which are considered the high-incidence areas for the disease. The plan covered 18,248 women and found out about 110 cancer cases.

In 2008, the ministry started the "Prevention of Cervical Cancer" (PCC) program, investing 200 million yuan ($28.3 million) in cash and equipment for the promotion of standard treatments of cervical diseases and establishment of screening and treatment centers across the country.

The plan ensured more than 200,000 Chinese women could receive free screening for the cancer in the next three years.

On April 13, the newly released National Human Rights Action Plan once again reiterated the importance of disease prevention for Chinese women, saying that "major public health programs will be carried out to prevent and control tuberculosis and other fatal diseases for women."

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2009)