Taiwan’s HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care and leading lung cancer specialists have called for stronger integration of early screening, precision diagnostics, and early treatment in lung cancer care, aiming to cut cancer deaths by one-third by 2030 and set a new global benchmark.

At a recent press conference titled “Healthy Taiwan, Leading the World – Ushering in a New Era of Early Screening and Treatment of Lung Cancer,” government officials, 10 prominent lung cancer experts, and medical leaders from across Taiwan gathered to outline the next phase of prevention and control policies.

Taiwan’s Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, launched in 2022, offers biannual low-dose CT (LDCT) screenings for high-risk groups. To date, more than 210,000 screenings have identified 2,506 lung cancer cases, with over 80% diagnosed early and late-stage cases reduced sevenfold. The program has drawn global recognition as a model for proactive cancer prevention.

During his Taiwan visit, Dr. Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control, praised the nation’s comprehensive cancer care system and urged continued improvements in screening and access to treatment. Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Chiu Tai-Yuan pledged policy innovation and cross-ministerial collaboration to strengthen early detection, while Legislator Wang Cheng-Hsu called for expanded resources and legislation to support early treatment.

Medical leaders highlighted the importance of next steps. Dr. Yang Pan-Chyr of Academia Sinica noted LDCT screening could reduce lung cancer mortality by more than 50%. Dr. Chen Chien-Jen stressed the need to expand precision diagnostics and treatment for early-stage patients. Other experts emphasized the role of AI in risk prediction, early genetic testing, targeted therapies, and adjuvant treatment to prevent relapse and improve survival rates.

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HOPE Foundation and its partners also urged reallocation of National Health Insurance (NHI) resources to support early diagnosis and therapy. Clinical data shows adjuvant targeted therapy for patients with EGFR mutations can reduce five-year mortality by 10%. Experts called for improved reimbursement policies, wider access to genetic testing, and alignment of treatment guidelines with international standards.

Speakers including Dr. Wang Chin-Chou, Dr. Chang Wen-Cheng, and Dr. Chen Jen-Shi stressed the need for integrated care — combining surgery, adjuvant therapy, and long-term follow-up — along with diverse financing mechanisms to ensure patients benefit from advances in treatment.

The united call underscored Taiwan’s determination to push forward a new era of early detection and comprehensive lung cancer care, strengthening its role as a global leader in cancer control.

Source: Agency