Roche's program to help breast cancer patients in rural areas, train medical staff

A pilot project to reduce the rate of breast cancer and treat patients with proper medical care in poor areas of China will be launched with support from Shanghai Roche Pharmaceutical Ltd.

The program, announced early this month, will be guided by the China Population Communication Center of the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Chinese Anti Cancer Association (CACA), which will have a special focus on female health in regions with inadequate access to medical attention. The project is being supported by Roche, the domestic pharmaceutical company specializing in oncology, virology and implantology.

During the project, a team of volunteers, senior and junior doctors will visit more than 20 cities and counties that are less economically developed. During the trip, they will offer voluntary training to local medical workers, provide free diagnosis service for residents and raise awareness of the disease.