Free Cancer Screenings Offered at Xindian Cardinal Tien Hospital for Father's Day

Xindian Cardinal Tien Hospital is hosting a "Guard Your Health, Walk Together" health promotion event to celebrate Father's Day, offering free screenings for six types of cancer. The initiative, supported by the National Health Administration, also includes adult health check-ups and health education activities, drawing significant public participation.

Physicians highlighted the importance of regular screenings, noting that many cancers lack obvious symptoms in their early stages. The hospital is providing checks for breast, cervical, colorectal, oral, lung, and stomach cancers. Specific eligibility criteria apply for each screening, based on age, family history, and lifestyle factors like smoking and槟榔 (betel nut) consumption.

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Many cancers have almost no obvious symptoms in the early stages, so regular screening is very important.

Dr. Hong Ling-yu, Vice Superintendent of Community Affairs at the hospital, shared the case of a 47-year-old male smoker who was diagnosed with stage III lung adenocarcinoma after experiencing persistent cough and significant weight loss. Although initially attributing his symptoms to smoking, further examination revealed the malignancy. Fortunately, early detection through a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan allowed for timely treatment, and his condition is now stable.

Dr. Hong urged eligible individuals to utilize the government-subsidized LDCT screening for lung cancer, emphasizing that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Many lung cancer patients only seek medical attention when symptoms like persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or unexplained weight loss become severe, by which time the disease may have progressed to advanced stages.

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Lung cancer's early symptoms are often not obvious. Many patients only seek medical attention when they experience persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or significant weight loss, and the condition may have already progressed to the middle or late stages.