Evolution of Cancer Screening in Taiwan
Since January 2004, the Health Promotion Administration (formerly Bureau of Health Promotion) started to subsidize citizens aged 50-69 years for colorectal cancer screening every two years. Screening for colorectal cancer included two phases. Phase one utilized the fecal immunochemical test for mass screening. Subjects with positive results would be referred to the phase two confirmatory diagnosis with colonoscopy. The age range was expanded to 50-74 years in June 2013. With regard to breast cancer screening, the Health Promotion Administration started to subsidize women aged 50-69 years for mammography every two years. In November 2009, the age range was expanded to 45-69 years. In 2000, women aged 40-44 years with second-degree relatives ever diagnosed with breast cancer were included. With regard to oral cancer, the mass screening service first provided annual oral inspection for citizens over 18 years of age who were smokers or had the betel nut chewing habit. Starting on January 1st, oral cancer screening was adjusted to provide a biennial screening for citizens over 30 years of age who were smokers or chewed betel nuts.