Lung cancer screening program improves early detection in Zlín Region

A lung cancer screening program in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic is improving patient outcomes by facilitating early detection. Between January 2022 and March 2025, 1,076 individuals participated in the program. According to Dr. Gabriela Procházka Raisová of the Baťa University Hospital, approximately 80 percent of tumors identified through this screening are diagnosed in the first or second stage. This contrasts with the general population, where roughly two-thirds of patients present with advanced disease.

The screening is free of charge, covered by public health insurance, and specifically targets heavy smokers aged 55 to 74. Participants are referred by general practitioners to pulmonologists for CT scans, which can detect carcinoma before symptoms appear.

Medical experts also note that approximately 20 percent of lung cancer patients have never smoked. Key risk factors for non-smokers include radon exposure, genetic predispositions, and pre-existing lung conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or COPD. Additionally, women who have undergone radiation therapy for other cancers, such as breast cancer, face up to ten times the risk of developing lung cancer.