Shanghai's first charity fund for patients with cancer related to the female reproductive system was launched on Saturday.

A total donation of 500,000 yuan (US$62,449) was made by nine local companies to establish the fund.

To become a beneficiary, one can apply to the Shanghai General Hospital of Armed Police, where affordable treatment is available to needy female patients.

A second financial evaluation will be made by the Shanghai Charity Foundation, to confirm the applicant's validity.

Twelve cancer experts will perform the surgeries at no charge to selected patients.

The fund will deal mostly with cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers. Each presents unique challenges to doctors.

Cervical cancer in China is the second most common among women after breast cancer. Around 13,000 women in China are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. An average of 50,000 patients die annually.

The Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in an April 18 report that about 2.8 percent of women in the city are diagnosed with reproductive system cancer.

(Shanghai Daily May 15, 2006)