Dr Polly Suk-Yee Cheung's Profile

Dr Polly Suk-Yee Cheung completed her medical education in the 1970s at the University of Hong Kong. She subsequently received surgical training in general surgery at the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital as well as specialty training in Breast and Endocrine Surgery at the University of Michigan. Over the past decades, while practising as a breast cancer specialist in both public and private sectors, Dr Cheung has always taken the leading role to bring in new ideas and innovative professional practices for the advancement of breast cancer medical profession in Hong Kong. Dr Cheung devotes herself wholeheartedly to raising public awareness of the importance of breast cancer healthcare and education. She was awarded the “Outstanding Woman Professional” by the Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association in 1999.

A Citation for Honorary Fellow Dr Polly Suk-Yee Cheung

Dr Cheung Suk Yee, Polly is a prominent breast cancer specialist, a leading expert in the field, as well as an ardent advocate and leader in the promotion of breast cancer education, patient support and research in Hong Kong. Dr Cheung completed her medical education in the 1970's at the University of Hong Kong. She subsequently received general surgical training at the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital and specialty training in Breast and Endocrine Surgery at the University of Michigan.

Over the past decades, while practising as a breast cancer specialist, Dr Cheung always took the leading role to bring in innovative practices for the advancement of breast cancer medical profession in Hong Kong. Her contributions to this field are significant. During her service as university academic surgeon at Queen Mary Hospital and consultant surgeon at Kwong Wah Hospital in the 1980s, Dr Cheung set up the first one-stop breast clinic and introduced the combined use of needle biopsy procedures and breast ultrasound in Hong Kong. Furthermore, she initiated the application of breast conserving surgery and breast reconstruction technique to help breast cancer patients to reduce breast cancer recurrence and death, and to reduce the psychological impact on the patients suffering from breast cancer. With the lofty goal of raising women's awareness of breast cancer prevention, Dr Cheung launched the first breast-screening programme in Hong Kong in 1990.

After joining the private practice, Dr Cheung continued her untiring effort to advance breast cancer medical treatment methods to cure or extend the life of her patients. She set up the first Breast Care Centre in a private hospital in 1999 and at the same time she introduced the first stereotactic breast biopsy in Hong Kong. In 2001, Dr Cheung started the first sentinel node biopsy programme to provide better diagnosis and treatments for early stage breast cancer patients. Over the years, Dr Cheung has rendered her expert help to her patients in curing the illness, easing the pain caused by the illness, or extending the patients' lives. For her outstanding professional achievement, she has been applauded as the “Master Surgeon of Breast Cancer.”

Despite her busy schedule in private practice, Dr Cheung devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising public awareness of the importance of breast cancer healthcare and education, soliciting financial and other support for breast cancer patients and undertaking scientific research, and sharing knowledge among the medical professionals in Hong Kong. Notably, her contributions include founding the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation in 2005, a charitable organization dedicated to breast cancer education, patient support, research and evidence-based advocacy. In 2007, she established the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry – a comprehensive breast cancer data collection system, performing research and analyses to shed light on improving breast cancer prevention and care. In 2011, she set up a community-based Breast Health Centre, providing free mammogram screening to middle and low-income women in Hong Kong.

Dr Cheung also plays an active role in the training of young doctors and medical students. She has been appointed as an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Hong Kong, an Accredited Trainer for the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong for young breast surgeons, and an Honorary Consultant Surgeon at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. Dr Cheung was the President of Breast Surgery International from 2011 to 2013 and was also the founding President of the Hong Kong Society of Breast Surgeons in 2012.

In community service, Dr Cheung was President of Zonta Club of Hong Kong in 1999. She has served in numerous government and public bodies' committees including as chairman of the Optometrist Board, and as member of the Social Security Appeal Board, the Supplementary Medical Professions Council, the Consumer Council, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology, the Women's Commission, the Court of The University of Hong Kong and the Council of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Mr Chairman, in recognition of Dr Cheung Suk Yee, Polly's outstanding achievements in the Hong Kong breast cancer medical profession as well as her life-long dedication to the profession and the community, and in appreciation of her support for UIC, it is my privilege to present her to you for the award of an Honorary Fellowship.