Chiayi DPP councilor’s death highlights lung cancer crisis

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer deaths in Chiayi City. In Taiwan, lung cancer accounted for 10,053 deaths last year, making up nearly one-fifth (19.36%) of all cancer-related fatalities.

The recent death of Tsai Wen-hsu, a 60-year-old councilor from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who succumbed to lung cancer on Dec. 13, has drawn attention to the importance of early cancer detection.

Twu Shiing-jer, former Chiayi City mayor and minister of the Department of Health, emphasized the need for preventive medicine and encouraged comprehensive early screening.

Statistics show that early-stage lung cancer has a significantly higher five-year survival rate, reaching approximately 90% for Stage 1 but dropping to just 10% for Stage 4.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare initiated an early lung cancer detection program on July 1, 2022. Taiwan is now a global leader in providing lung cancer screening, particularly targeting individuals with a family history of the disease and heavy smokers. Eligible individuals can receive low-dose CT scans every two years.

While screening can aid in early detection and increase survival rates, it cannot prevent lung cancer. To reduce the risk, public health officials recommend strong anti-smoking measures and access to smoking cessation services.