Expand Free Lung Cancer Screening Age Range – Check Eligible Groups at a Glance

Early Detection, Early Treatment: Use Low-Dose CT (LDCT) to Improve Lung Cancer Survival!

“Health is not valued till sickness comes.”

— Thomas Fuller (17th-century English physician and writer)

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Taiwan for many consecutive years.

In 2023, 10,348 people died of lung cancer[1]，and the number further increased to 10,495 in 2024.[2]

Clinical data show a dramatic difference in the “five-year survival rate” depending on the stage of diagnosis and treatment[1]：

Stage I: about 90%
Stage II: over 60%
Stage III: about 30%
Stage IV: only 10%

Simply put, if 10 people are diagnosed and treated at Stage I, about 9 will survive beyond five years; but if the diagnosis is delayed until Stage IV, only 1 out of 10 can expect to live past five years.

Why is the “five-year mark” used as the standard?

Because for most cancers, if recurrence occurs, it usually happens within five years.

Surviving beyond five years indicates that the disease has become relatively stable.

Therefore, the five-year survival rate has become the internationally recognized indicator for evaluating cancer treatment outcomes.

As of December 31, 2024, a total of 158,937 people nationwide had undergone screening, leading to the detection of 1,957 confirmed lung cancer cases. Among these, 83% (1,621 cases) were found at an early stage (Stage 0 or I).[3]

This clearly shows that early detection and timely treatment are key to improving lung cancer survival rates.

To reduce the threat of lung cancer, the Health Promotion Administration has expanded the lung cancer screening program starting January 2025[3]

✅Family history of lung cancer

Men aged 45–74
Women aged 40–74

✅ Heavy smokers (20 pack-years or more)

Aged 50–74

Those who meet the criteria are eligible for one free low-dose CT (LDCT) scan every two years, helping with early detection and improved survival.

Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) Lung Cancer Screening

In the early stages, lung cancer often presents no symptoms. By the time it is discovered, it has usually progressed to a more advanced stage, making treatment difficult and survival rates significantly lower. Screening allows early detection of abnormalities and helps seize the golden window for treatment.

📌What is LDCT?

Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) is an imaging technology specifically designed for examining the lungs. Compared with conventional CT scans, it delivers a much lower radiation dose (only about 1/5 to 1/10), yet still produces clear images—making it a safe and effective way to detect early lung abnormalities or tumors.

📌Why choose LDCT screening?

“Low-dose” means that compared with conventional chest CT, LDCT significantly reduces radiation exposure while still maintaining sufficient image clarity to detect small lung nodules. This makes the screening both safe and effective. LDCT is currently the only internationally evidence-based tool proven to detect lung cancer early, capable of reducing lung cancer mortality by 20% among heavy smokers. If higher-resolution imaging is clinically required, physicians will still arrange a conventional CT. The two methods are complementary, not substitutes.

📌Who is eligible for free LDCT? (Government-subsidized lung cancer screening)

✅Family history of lung cancer

Men: 45–74 years old
Women: 40–74 years old

✅Heavy smokers

Age: 50–74 years old
Smoking history of 20 pack-years or more, and currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years

📌Who should consider LDCT? (High-risk groups, physician assessment required)[5]

Those with a history of chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD, pulmonary tuberculosis)
Those with long-term exposure to cooking fumes, asbestos, radon, diesel exhaust, or chemical environments

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

-Mahatma Gandhi (Indian political and spiritual leader)

Even if you feel healthy, if you have long-term exposure to high-risk environments, it is still recommended to consult your doctor about whether screening is necessary. Regardless of whether you belong to a high-risk group, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular checkups are the most reliable ways to safeguard your health.

One step earlier in screening means greater peace of mind—making “early detection and early treatment” the first step to safeguarding life.

📋參考來源

衛生福利部國民健康署，《肺癌連續9年下降早期診斷是關鍵》，取自https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=4878&pid=18996
Healthcare+ B2B 全球醫療採購網，《台灣十大死因最新公佈：肺癌連續21年居首，前列腺癌、卵巢癌死亡率持續上升》，摘自https://www.taiwan-healthcare.org/en/news-detail?id=0sxz6jb4092xgjt7
衛生福利部國民健康署，《114年擴大肺癌篩選服務新年從健康開始》，取自https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=4878&pid=18751
衛生福利部國民健康署，《肺癌早期檢測計畫》，取自https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=4619
中華國民放射線醫學會，《推廣低劑量斷層掃描篩檢改善肺癌高表達》，取自https://www.rsroc.org.tw/news/news_detail.asp?NType=0&news_id=1988