According to the Health Ministry’s newly released cancer registry report, more than 17,000 lung cancer cases and 10,000 deaths attributable to lung cancer were recorded in 2022, ranking it first among cancers in Taiwan. Especially with no obvious symptoms in the early stages of development, where survival rates are over 90%, patients are mostly diagnosed in the middle and late stages– adding to its high mortality rate.
Addressing the issue, DPP legislator Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) invited the Formosa Cancer Foundation to hold a press conference on Monday. Lin said in 2022 the Health Ministry successfully launched the low-dose computed tomography screening program which has successfully detected over 1,000 cases of lung cancer so far. The program budget will be increased in 2025 to expand screening targets.
National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine Dean Shan Yan-shen (沈延盛) said, as a member of the Presidential Office’s Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, that successful lung cancer prevention relies on cross-departmental collaboration. Not only should the Health Ministry include wider and more thorough options for early screening and diagnosis tracking but also more complete options for late-stage treatment through the National Health Insurance Administration.
His point was reinforced by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Cancer Center Chemotherapy Safety Director Wen Cheng-chang (張文震) who emphasized the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee’s cancer prevention and control strategy as a key opportunity to improve lung cancer survival rates. Wen underlined that good policy goals should align with international guidelines and prioritize filling the gap in late-stage treatment.