To reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer, the Health Promotion Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare will expand cancer screening age groups and subsidy coverage starting January 1, 2025. The program includes screenings for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. The initiative aims to effectively combat cancer threats through early detection and treatment.
Expanded Screening Scope to Enhance Early Detection
The Health Promotion Administration has been promoting cancer screening for over a decade, and research shows that regular screenings significantly reduce mortality rates. For example:
- Colorectal cancer screening reduces mortality risk by 35%.
- Oral cancer screening decreases death risk by 26% for smokers and betel nut chewers.
- Mammography lowers breast cancer mortality by 41%.
- Pap smear tests reduce cervical cancer death rates by 70%.
- Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening reduces lung cancer mortality by 20% compared to chest X-rays.
In 2023, 4.872 million individuals underwent screenings for the five major cancers, identifying approximately 11,000 cancer cases and 52,000 precancerous lesions, saving over 63,000 lives.
Subsidy Measures for Five Major Cancer Screenings
- Lung cancer screening: Expanded to women aged 40-74 and men aged 45-74 with a family history or smoking history of ≥20 pack-years, with a subsidy of NT$4,000 per case.
- Colorectal cancer screening: Expanded to individuals aged 45-74 and those aged 40-44 with a family history. One fecal occult blood test every two years, with the subsidy increased from NT$200 to NT$400.
- Breast cancer screening: Extended to women aged 40-74. One mammogram every two years, with a subsidy of NT$1,245.
- Cervical cancer screening: New coverage for women aged 25-29. One pap smear test every three years, with the subsidy increased from NT$430 to NT$630.
- HPV testing: New service for women aged 35, 45, and 65, providing one test with a subsidy of NT$1,400.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare Subsidizes Screening Services for Five Major Cancers (Image credit: Health Promotion Administration FB)
Cancer Prevention Results and Convenient Services
Cancer has remained the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 42 consecutive years, with one person diagnosed with cancer every 4 minutes and 2 seconds in 2022. The Health Promotion Administration emphasizes that early cancer symptoms are often unnoticeable, making regular screening essential for improving treatment success rates.
Individuals can download the NHI EasyCard APP to review past screening records or visit the Health Promotion Administration’s Cancer Screening and Medical Institution Information Platform (https://escreening.hpa.gov.tw/Home) to check eligibility. Bring your NHI card to a medical institution to access screening services.
