Taipei and Hong Kong broaden free lung‑cancer screening programs

Taipei City Health Bureau announced that, starting 1 August, volunteer police, fire and traffic personnel aged 35 and older will receive free low‑dose computed‑tomography (LDCT) scans for lung‑cancer screening every two years. The city, where lung cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer death, already provides subsidised screening for heavy smokers and those with a family history, and the expansion adds roughly 765 eligible staff.

In Hong Kong, about 17 new lung‑cancer cases are diagnosed each day, with more than half detected at stage IV. Experts note a rising share of cases among non‑smokers, especially women, and urge high‑risk groups to undergo LDCT screening. Studies cited show LDCT can detect early tumours that traditional X‑rays miss, and targeted EGFR therapies are extending survival for many patients.