Starting from February 23, 2012, Taoyuan City has provided free low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer high-risk groups over 40 years old. Eligible citizens can go to the lung cancer screening appointment platform (website :
Lung cancer screening poster. (Provided by Taoyuan City Health Bureau)Taoyuan City is currently cooperating with 14 hospitals to provide free lung cancer screening services. The service targets are those with 4 types of risks: “Smoking Product Exposure”, “Related Disease History and Family History”, “Occupational Exposure” and “Air Pollution and Oil Fume”. The number of citizens applying for the factor is 819 (24%), 287 (8.4%), 133 (3.9%) and 2176 (63.7%), and those who meet the qualifications have successively made appointments for inspection.
Lung cancer is the number one cancer death rate in China and in Taoyuan City. The reason why lung cancer patients have a high mortality rate and low survival rate is mainly related to the diagnosis stage of lung cancer. According to the Health Bureau, the current 5-year survival rate of the first stage of lung cancer is nearly 90%, but that of the fourth stage drops to 10%. LDCT examination can effectively detect lung cancer early and reduce the lung cancer mortality rate of heavy smokers by 20%. Because lung cancer may not have obvious symptoms in the early stage, regular screening is encouraged for high-risk groups so that early detection and early treatment can be achieved.
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has a low radiation dose and does not require contrast agent injection. It only takes 2-5 minutes to scan the entire lung and find nodules smaller than 1 cm. Although there is a chance to find early lung cancer through LDCT, not all lung cancers can be diagnosed early; in addition, 95% of the lung nodules screened by LDCT may be benign. If you are too worried, you should follow the doctor’s advice to arrange medical treatment.
The Health Bureau appeals that for the sake of your own health, you should be brave enough to refuse and quit smoking, maintain a good lifestyle, strengthen self-protection, and reduce the threat of disease. For more information about lung cancer screening, please visit the homepage of the Health Bureau of Taoyuan City Government, or call the Health Bureau’s expanded lung cancer screening consultation service hotline 03-334-0345. ◇
