The Western Returned Scholars Foundation, a national public foundation based in Beijing, together with the local government of Jingzhou Miao and Dong autonomous county in Hunan province, launched a free cancer screening activity to promote disease prevention and early diagnosis in the local area. [Photo provided to chinadaily]

The grassroots-level public welfare activity offers free colorectal cancer genetic testing services for residents aged between 40 and 75 in the county. The screening results help residents in the county understand their health condition and promote early diagnosis of cancer.

Zhang Yimeng, deputy head of the local health bureau, said: "The public welfare screening can promote the public recognition of early symptoms of cancer and help them understand their health status. Through advanced high-tech screening technology, the Western Returned Scholars Foundation plays a positive role in local disease prevention publicity, making the local residents understand that disease prevention and screening isn't troublesome and painful."

On Aug 8, the project's sample collection packages were officially sent out. Within one week, 16 screening sites had received 5,791 registrations. A total of 5,251 packages were sent out.

Source: China Daily