• 地點:臺灣
• 發布日期: 2023/08/23
• 單位:衛生福利部
• 更新日期:2023/08/23
• 點閱次數:42

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world, and the standardized mortality rate for lung cancer in Taiwan was 21.8 per 100,000 people in 2022, compared to 26.0 per 100,000 people in 2011. Although the mortality rate for lung cancer has decreased by 16.2%, it is still the leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. The reason for the high mortality rate of lung cancer is that its early symptoms are not obvious. In Taiwan, half of the cases are already at stage 4 when they are found, and the 5-year survival rate is only about 10%. If it can be detected earlier, the 5-year survival rate can be over 90%.

In order to help the high-risk groups detect their lung cancer at an early stage, the Health Promotion Administration, MOHW launched a lung cancer screening service in July 2022, making it the fifth cancer screening program in Taiwan. The Health Promotion Administration, MOHW has utilized the previous 4 experiences in screening, integrating the processes of smoking cessation, screening, tracking, and diagnosis, to establish a lung cancer screening service that is universal, convenient, and professional, and continues to serve as a gatekeeper for the public’s health.

Screening for High-risk Groups, It Will Be More Secured to Collocate Smoking Cessation at The Same Time.

Currently, the Health Promotion Administration, MOHW promotes low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening, and the subsidized targets include:

One with family history of lung cancer: Men aged 50-74 or women aged 45-74 whose parents, children or siblings have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Heavy smokers: Heavy smokers between the ages of 50 and 74 with a smoking history of 30 pack-years (remark) or more, who have not quit smoking for 15 years.

Anyone who meets the above eligibility criteria may go to a hospital with lung cancer screening contract for screening counseling and scheduling an appointment. At present, there are 167 contracted hospitals in 22 counties and cities across Taiwan, so people may get screened at a hospital near them (for a list of hospitals and contact information). Since many medical examinations utlize CT scanners, in order to avoid affecting the capacity of medical use, the number of people who can be screened at each hospital is limited each day, and it may not be possible to be screened at any time. The Health Promotion Administration, MOHW suggests that you call the hospital to schedule a screening before you go there, so as to avoid a wasted trip. If you are a smoker, please be sure to receive smoking cessation services from one of our contracted organizations before the screening. The Health Promotion Administration, MOHW urges that screening does not prevent cancer from occurring, and the best way to protect one’s health is to keep cancer causes away.

Just with 5-minute Simple & Convenient Screening Process

Before undergoing the examination, the examinees will watch the LDCT Lung Cancer Screening Health Education video, and the hospital will inform them of the purpose of the screening, possible risks, post-screening procedures, and things they need to cooperate with. Therefore, the public may truly understand the benefits of the screening, and minimize the psychological pressure and unnecessary panic that may arise (flowchart as the attached). Prior to the screening, the public does not need to fast, do not need to apply contrast medium. The examination time is less 5 minutes, and the radiation level is only one-fifth of a CT scan. The examinees just lie flat on the operation bed of the scanning equipment, and follow the medical radiologist’s instructions to take a deep breath and then hold the breath to complete the screening. After the screening, the LDCT images will be sent to the diagnostic radiologist for identification of suspicious lesions in the lungs. If no suspicious nodule is found, the hospital will send a report to inform the screening result. If there is a suspected abnormal lesion, the hospital will contact the examinees to return to the original screening hospital within 6 weeks for an explanation of the report by a chest physician and an evaluation, with instructions for follow-up or further diagnostic procedures.

Listen to your doctor’s advice for abnormal screening and follow four tips to take care of your lungs: “Cessation, Protection, Alertness and Screening”.

One year after the implementation of lung cancer screening, 531 lung cancer cases have been identified, of which 85.1% (452 examinees) are early stage (stage 0 and stage 1) cases, confirming that lung cancer screening is indeed conducive to early detection. However, cancer screening is only a tool for detecting lesions. Mr. Wu Zhaojun, Director of the Health Promotion Administration, MOHW, urges if there are any suspected abnormalities after screening, it is necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions for follow-up or confirming the diagnosis, so as to avoid any delay to cure the disease, achieving the “early detection and early treatment” by screening.

Mr. Wu also reminded that screening cannot pr’’event cancer, and we must start by taking care of ourselves and developing a healthy lifestyle. He also provided four tips for lung care: “Cessation, Protection, Alertness and Screening”:

Smoking Cessation: Quit the habit of smoking and stay away from the harmful effects of smoking.

Precaution: Encourage families and friends to quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Protect yourself from risk factors such as soot and air pollution.

Warming Symptoms: If you notice any warming symptoms (including persistent cough that does not get better, coughing sputum with blood or coughing-up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent chest pain that gets worse, hoarse voice, pain in the bones and joints, unanticipated weight loss, loss of appetite, etc.), you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Examination: If you have any physical symptoms that qualify you for lung cancer screening, please get screened as soon as possible to reduce the threat of lung cancer.

In addition to taking care of yourself, please also remind your friends and relatives who are eligible to be screened that “lung cancer screening is the best way to be screened and protected”, so you may receive the service as soon as possible to minimize the threat of lung cancer.

Remark: Pack-year: average number of packs smoked per day * number of years smoked (e.g., 1 pack per day for a total of 30 years or 1.5 packs per day for a total of 20 years, previous situations are both 30 pack-years).