# Lung cancer trends in Taiwan and China > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lung-cancer-trends-in-taiwan-and-china > Updated: 2026-08-26T10:36:19.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Recent reports highlight evolving trends in lung cancer incidence and mortality across East Asia, driven by demographic shifts and environmental factors. In Taiwan, medical experts have observed a rise in lung cancer among non-smoking women, who now represent over 50% of new cases. Approximately 90% of these female patients have no history of smoking, leading researchers to point toward environmental exposures such as indoor cooking fumes, volatile organic compounds, and air pollution. To address this, Taiwan has utilized a government-funded Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening program since 2022, which has successfully shifted diagnoses from late-stage to early-stage detection. In China, research indicates that while age-standardized mortality rates have declined since 2015, the crude mortality rate continues to rise. This increase is attributed to an aging population, with the number of citizens aged 60 and older projected to exceed 500 million by 2050. Other contributing risk factors in the region include high smoking rates, secondhand smoke exposure, and industrial air pollution. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: China lung cancer mortality rises due to aging population Research shows China's rising lung cancer mortality is largely driven by an aging population, despite improvements in age-standardized mortality rates and ongoing risks from smoking and pollution. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-lung-cancer-mortality-rises-due-to-aging-population ### 2026-08-26: Taiwan lung cancer rates rise among non-smoking women Lung cancer cases are rising in Taiwan, with women making up over 50% of new patients. Most female patients are non-smokers, highlighting risks from environmental factors like cooking fumes and air pollution. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-lung-cancer-rates-rise-among-non-smoking-women --- Cite as: Lung cancer trends in Taiwan and China. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lung-cancer-trends-in-taiwan-and-china