Latest news with #CaryAdams
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
HOPE Foundation and Taiwan's Top Lung Cancer Experts Call for Seamless Integration of Early Screening, Precision Diagnostics, and Early Treatment
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 August 2025 - Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Yet, progress is within reach. In Taiwan, thanks to the National Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, the proportion of early-stage lung cancer cases continues to rise. Against this backdrop, HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care, one of the largest cancer-focused patient advocacy groups in Taiwan, recently hosted a press conference titled 'Healthy Taiwan, Leading the World – Ushering in a New Era of Early Screening and treatment of Lung Cancer'. The event brought together distinguished government officials, ten leading medical authorities in lung cancer, and renowned lung cancer experts from major medical centers nationwide to chart the next phase of early lung cancer prevention and control policies. United in their commitment, participants advocated for the seamless integration of early screening, precision diagnostics, and early treatment in lung cancer care, strengthening efforts to promote early detection and intervention. Ultimately, aiming to support Taiwan in achieving its ambitious goal of reducing cancer mortality rates by one-third by 2030, setting a new international benchmark in cancer control. Taiwan's proactive approach to lung cancer prevention is recognized globally for its vision and effectiveness. In July 2022, the government launched the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, offering biannual low-dose CT (LDCT) screenings for high-risk groups, including those with a family history of lung cancer and heavy smokers. This pioneering initiative has positioned Taiwan as an international role model in lung cancer prevention. Over the past three years, more than 210,000 screenings have led to the identification of 2,506 lung cancer cases—over 80% of which were diagnosed at an early stage, with late-stage diagnoses dropping sevenfold. Previously, late-stage diagnosis was the norm, but Taiwan's proactive policies have transformed the landscape, reversing the trend and ensuring that most initial lung cancer cases are now detected early. During his recent visit to Taiwan, Dr. Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), commended Taiwan's National Cancer Control Program, its comprehensive cancer registry, and robust National Health Insurance (NHI) system for establishing an exemplary cancer care network. He encouraged Taiwan to further improve early lung cancer screening rates and timely access to treatment, reinforcing its status as a global public health leader. At the conference, Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Chiu Tai-Yuan pledged ongoing cross-ministerial collaboration and policy innovation to improve early lung cancer detection and treatment. Legislator Wang Cheng-Hsu also reaffirmed his commitment to early detection and intervention, advocating for increased resources and improved legislation to ensure early-stage lung cancer patients receive comprehensive care. Leading medical experts further emphasized Taiwan's advancements. Dr. Yang, Pan-Chyr, Academician of Academia Sinica, highlighted how the LDCT screening program has driven a shift toward earlier-stage diagnosis, with research indicating it could reduce lung cancer mortality by 53%. Dr. Chen Chien-Jen, Academician of Academia Sinica emphasized that the next key challenge is ensuring early-stage patients benefit from precision diagnostics and early treatment. Dr. Yang Cheng-Ta, President of the Taiwan Lung Cancer Society, added that emerging AI technology is now capable of analyzing LDCT images to predict an individual's six-year cancer risk, which will improve identification of high-risk groups and support early intervention. Dr. Yang Chih-Hsin, President of Taiwan Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, urged early-stage patients to undergo genetic testing promptly, enabling medical teams to tailor optimal treatment plans, including surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy as adjuvant treatments. HOPE called for NHI resources to shift toward early lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of genetic testing and adjuvant therapy for high-risk early-stage patients to reduce relapse and mortality. Clinical evidence shows that adjuvant targeted therapy after surgery for stage IB–IIIA lung cancer with EGFR mutations can reduce five-year mortality by 10%, which is vital for improving outcomes and easing the burden on the healthcare system. Dr. Chen Jin-Shing, Head of Thoracic Surgery Division at National Taiwan University Hospital, advocated for priority reimbursement of adjuvant targeted therapy for patients with stage IB-IIIA lung cancer, while Dr. Chen Chih-Yi, Board Member of HOPEemphasized the importance of improving access to early genetic testing and treatment. Dr. Huang, Ming-Shyan, President of the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Society, pointed out that early-stage lung cancer treatment in Taiwan is not yet fully aligned with international guidelines, and urged that expanded screening must be matched with optimized NHI resource allocation and improved treatment access. Other leading voices reinforced the need for comprehensive care. Dr. Wang Chin-Chou, Board Member of Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, stressed that while surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage lung cancer, it must be accompanied by proactive adjuvant therapy strategies and long-term follow-up. Dr. Chang Wen-Cheng, CEO of Taiwan Cancer Foundation emphasized that the integration of screening, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial to truly realize early detection and treatment, as well as maximizing the value of screening program. Dr. Chen Jen-Shi, President of Taiwan Oncology Society, recommended that in addition to current NHI and Cancer Drug Fund financing, the government should promote diverse payment mechanisms—such as co-payment models or commercial insurance to supplement the NHI system—to further improve access to early lung cancer treatment. Uniting multiple lung cancer treatment experts from medical centers across Taiwan, a concerted effort to usher in a new era of early lung cancer screening and treatment. (Listed by institution from North to South) · Dr. Chen Yu-Min, Director of General Chest Medicine Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital · Dr. Lee Kang-Yun, Attending Physician, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital · Dr. Huang Chun-Yao, Attending Physician, Division of Chest Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital · Dr. Tsai Chen-Liang, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Tri-Service General Hospital · Dr. Yeh Yu-Wen, Physician, Division of Thoracic Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital · Dr. Chang Sheng-Yu, Attending Physician and Leader of the Lung Cancer Team, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital · Dr. Yang Tsung-Ying, Director of General Chest Medicine Department, Taichung Veterans General Hospital · Dr. Hsia Te-Chun, Deputy Director, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital · Dr. Lin Chien-Chung, Attending Physician, Division of Chest Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Arabian Post
HOPE Foundation and Taiwan's Top Lung Cancer Experts Call for Seamless Integration of Early Screening, Precision Diagnostics, and Early Treatment
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 August 2025 –Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Yet, progress is within reach. In Taiwan, thanks to the National Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, the proportion of early-stage lung cancer cases continues to rise. Against this backdrop,HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care, one of the largest cancer-focused patient advocacy groups in Taiwan, recently hosted a press conference titled 'Healthy Taiwan, Leading the World – Ushering in a New Era of Early Screening and treatment of Lung Cancer'. The event brought together distinguished government officials, ten leading medical authorities in lung cancer, and renowned lung cancer experts from major medical centers nationwide to chart the next phase of early lung cancer prevention and control policies. United in their commitment, participants advocated for the seamless integration of early screening, precision diagnostics, and early treatment in lung cancer care, strengthening efforts to promote early detection and intervention. Ultimately, aiming to support Taiwan in achieving its ambitious goal of reducing cancer mortality rates by one-third by 2030, setting a new international benchmark in cancer control. Taiwan's proactive approach to lung cancer prevention is recognized globally for its vision and effectiveness. In July 2022, the government launched the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program, offering biannual low-dose CT (LDCT) screenings for high-risk groups, including those with a family history of lung cancer and heavy smokers. This pioneering initiative has positioned Taiwan as an international role model in lung cancer prevention. Over the past three years, more than 210,000 screenings have led to the identification of 2,506 lung cancer cases—over 80% of which were diagnosed at an early stage, with late-stage diagnoses dropping sevenfold. Previously, late-stage diagnosis was the norm, but Taiwan's proactive policies have transformed the landscape, reversing the trend and ensuring that most initial lung cancer cases are now detected early. During his recent visit to Taiwan, Dr. Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), commended Taiwan's National Cancer Control Program, its comprehensive cancer registry, and robust National Health Insurance (NHI) system for establishing an exemplary cancer care network. He encouraged Taiwan to further improve early lung cancer screening rates and timely access to treatment, reinforcing its status as a global public health leader. At the conference, Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Chiu Tai-Yuan pledged ongoing cross-ministerial collaboration and policy innovation to improve early lung cancer detection and treatment. Legislator Wang Cheng-Hsu also reaffirmed his commitment to early detection and intervention, advocating for increased resources and improved legislation to ensure early-stage lung cancer patients receive comprehensive care. ADVERTISEMENT Leading medical experts further emphasized Taiwan's advancements. Dr. Yang, Pan-Chyr, Academician of Academia Sinica, highlighted how the LDCT screening program has driven a shift toward earlier-stage diagnosis, with research indicating it could reduce lung cancer mortality by 53%. Dr. Chen Chien-Jen, Academician of Academia Sinica emphasized that the next key challenge is ensuring early-stage patients benefit from precision diagnostics and early treatment. Dr. Yang Cheng-Ta, President of the Taiwan Lung Cancer Society, added that emerging AI technology is now capable of analyzing LDCT images to predict an individual's six-year cancer risk, which will improve identification of high-risk groups and support early intervention. Dr. Yang Chih-Hsin, President of Taiwan Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, urged early-stage patients to undergo genetic testing promptly, enabling medical teams to tailor optimal treatment plans, including surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy as adjuvant treatments. HOPE called for NHI resources to shift toward early lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of genetic testing and adjuvant therapy for high-risk early-stage patients to reduce relapse and mortality. Clinical evidence shows that adjuvant targeted therapy after surgery for stage IB–IIIA lung cancer with EGFR mutations can reduce five-year mortality by 10%, which is vital for improving outcomes and easing the burden on the healthcare system. Dr. Chen Jin-Shing, Head of Thoracic Surgery Division at National Taiwan University Hospital, advocated for priority reimbursement of adjuvant targeted therapy for patients with stage IB-IIIA lung cancer, while Dr. Chen Chih-Yi, Board Member of HOPE emphasized the importance of improving access to early genetic testing and treatment. Dr. Huang, Ming-Shyan, President of the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Society, pointed out that early-stage lung cancer treatment in Taiwan is not yet fully aligned with international guidelines, and urged that expanded screening must be matched with optimized NHI resource allocation and improved treatment access. Other leading voices reinforced the need for comprehensive care. Dr. Wang Chin-Chou, Board Member of Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, stressed that while surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage lung cancer, it must be accompanied by proactive adjuvant therapy strategies and long-term follow-up. Dr. Chang Wen-Cheng, CEO of Taiwan Cancer Foundation emphasized that the integration of screening, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial to truly realize early detection and treatment, as well as maximizing the value of screening program. Dr. Chen Jen-Shi, President of Taiwan Oncology Society, recommended that in addition to current NHI and Cancer Drug Fund financing, the government should promote diverse payment mechanisms—such as co-payment models or commercial insurance to supplement the NHI system—to further improve access to early lung cancer treatment. Uniting multiple lung cancer treatment experts from medical centers across Taiwan, a concerted effort to usher in a new era of early lung cancer screening and treatment. (Listed by institution from North to South) · Dr. Chen Yu-Min, Director of General Chest Medicine Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital · Dr. Lee Kang-Yun, Attending Physician, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital · Dr. Huang Chun-Yao, Attending Physician, Division of Chest Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital · Dr. Tsai Chen-Liang, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division, Tri-Service General Hospital · Dr. Yeh Yu-Wen, Physician, Division of Thoracic Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital · Dr. Chang Sheng-Yu, Attending Physician and Leader of the Lung Cancer Team, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital · Dr. Yang Tsung-Ying, Director of General Chest Medicine Department, Taichung Veterans General Hospital · Dr. Hsia Te-Chun, Deputy Director, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital · Dr. Lin Chien-Chung, Attending Physician, Division of Chest Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Hashtag: #HOPEFoundation ADVERTISEMENT The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
NZ Herald
03-06-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Vaping has created a toxic monster: Here's what it does to your body and how to quit
He highlights the rise of vapes with a refillable pod which 'look exactly the same as the disposable [products] and maintain a lot of the features which are appealing to kids, including the different colours, crazy flavours, design and pricing'. He therefore believes the impact on youth vaping will be 'minimal' as many simply turn to the reusable products instead. Before the ban even began, researchers from University College London (UCL) believed disposable vape users were already switching to refillable and rechargeable devices in preparation, instead of giving up. Doctors and scientists are continuing to explore the long-term effects of vaping. 'There is growing evidence that e-cigarettes are harmful to health because some include carcinogens such as formaldehyde, [and] some have higher concentrations of nicotine than the cigarettes they are attempting to replace,' says Dr Cary Adams, the chief executive of the UICC. 'Nicotine is also highly addictive, which makes users more susceptible to dependency, and more likely to smoke throughout their lifetime.' What are the risks? People who vape as well as smoke have a greater risk of: Cardiovascular disease Stroke Chronic lung disease Asthma Oral disease While vaping is still significantly better for your health than smoking, charities are particularly concerned because research is suggesting that a significant proportion of people both smoke and vape. According to the Action on Smoking and Health organisation, 39% of current vapers in the UK also smoke. 'It's estimated that electronic cigarettes are 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes,' says Dr Silvano Gallus, the head of the Laboratory of Lifestyle Epidemiology at the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan. 'But studies are showing that a significant proportion of electronic cigarette users are dual users, and data suggests this leads to a greatly increased risk of disease.' Last year, a major study in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine called for a reassessment of the widely held assumption that vaping can prevent cigarette-related diseases, largely because of the risk of people becoming addicted to both. The study found that dual users had a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, asthma and oral disease compared with people who just smoked. Gallus and others feel that because of this, there is a need for better strategies for helping people transition away from all forms of nicotine, including vapes. How can you quit? So how can you go about quitting vaping? Last week, the first ever Cochrane review – a systematic examination of randomised controlled trials – was published, looking at the evidence for helping people quit nicotine-containing vapes, which is admittedly rather limited. 'From the data, it seems that it's easier to stop vaping than it is to stop smoking, which is good,' says Sairah Salim-Sartoni, a health psychologist who spent 16 years working clinically in NHS stop smoking services. 'But we still don't have any official guidance. I'd love to be able to give a blueprint for how to help people quit vaping, but we don't have those studies yet.' However, from tapering and distraction to apps and drug treatments, there are a number of strategies which can be used to try and break a potent vaping addiction. 1. Tapering While many smokers use vaping as a way of transitioning away from conventional cigarettes, Salim-Sartoni says that it is possible to become completely nicotine-free. 'A lot of the smokers I know do want to get rid of their dependence on using anything, and it takes time to do that,' she says. 'The number one thing which people can try is to slowly reduce their nicotine strength.' She describes one particular patient who went from smoking to vaping and then eventually nicotine-free, through tapering down in steps, for example from 20mg/ml nicotine to 18mg/ml, 12mg/ml, 9mg/ml, 6mg/ml, 3mg/ml and then to zero. 'That is very feasible, and there's different ways you can do that,' she says. 'You could either vape less often, or go to a nicotine pouch or a nicotine replacement therapy gum, and then slowly reduce your intake.' However, she says that it's important to make sure that as you reduce your nicotine strength, for example through switching to lower strength vapes, you're not vaping more often. 'Unfortunately sometimes when people try and reduce their nicotine strength, they just vape more and more because they're [subconsciously] still trying to get to the level they had before, and they actually end up consuming more nicotine,' she says. 2. Identify your triggers Dr Sharon Levy is a Harvard Medical School associate professor who also heads the addiction medicine division at Boston Children's Hospital. She says the initial symptoms of nicotine withdrawal persist for somewhere between two and four weeks after completely stopping vaping. However the cravings last significantly longer, up to two months for most people, although they tend to fade over time. 'Making it through the first three months after quitting is a major milestone,' says Dr Levy. 'Though unfortunately people are not entirely out of the woods at that point because they are still at risk of being triggered if they are stressed, in a situation that they'd previously associated with nicotine use, or if they see other people using nicotine.' Because of this, Levy recommends meeting with a behavioural therapist to help identify triggers which you can recognise and avoid, as well as working on healthy stress management techniques. 'When someone becomes addicted to a substance, it's as if their brain mistakes the substance use as a behaviour that's critical for survival,' she says. 'So it takes a lot of money and energy for them to prevent themselves from defaulting to using it. Behavioural health counsellors can help people to unlearn this automatic defaulting.' Some vapes contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes. Photo / 123RF 3. Set boundaries A key component of behavioural management is not only identifying your triggers but setting boundaries. 'They're very similar tactics you would use for stopping smoking that you can apply to vaping as well,' says Salim-Sartoni. 'You can set rules for where you do and do not vape, so basically saying I'm only using my vape when I'm outside, but the home and car, I do not vape. Lower the nicotine, extend the time between vaping and set rules for where you do and don't vape.' Because this isn't always easy, Salim-Sartoni says that finding 'a buddy' who is also attempting to quit vaping can provide a vital support network which can make the whole process of setting boundaries much easier. 4. Distraction Finding a way to distract the brain is a key aspect of breaking any substance addiction. Salim-Sartoni says that there are all kinds of methods you can use to disengage your brain from the nicotine cravings, such as going to drink water, going to the toilet, playing a game on your phone or going for a walk. One surprisingly effective means of distraction is having a boiled sweet. 'The glucose receptor is very close to the nicotine receptor,' says Salim-Sartoni. 'And so the nicotine receptor feels that it's had something. The science steadily emerged to show this, but in our stop smoking clinics, we realised early on that people were eating a lot of sweet stuff when they were trying to quit, and this is why.' 5. Try apps or text message interventions According to the recent Cochrane review, some trials have found that text message-based interventions, which provide regular support and advice on quitting vaping can be effective. One study which examined a text message-based quit-vaping programme showed that users who used the programme were 35% more likely to quit vaping nicotine within seven months. As well as text message services, Levy says that there are a number of freely available apps and chatbots such as This is Quitting, which provide regular tips and encouragement, which have been shown to be effective in increasing quit rates. 6. Drug therapies For more powerful nicotine addictions, there are also pharmacological therapies such as the prescription drugs varenicline and cytisine. Varenicline binds to the nicotine receptors in the brain and blocks them, preventing the nicotine in vapes from binding to them, and so reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Cytisine mimics the effects of nicotine and so tricks the brain into thinking it has ingested nicotine, which also reduces cravings. Finally, Salim-Sartoni emphasises that the most important thing of all for people looking to quit vaping, particularly ex-smokers, is that they don't return to smoking cigarettes again. 'Smoking is uniquely deadly, and some people can't stop nicotine or don't want to,' she says. 'If that's the case, then it is much better that they switch to e-cigarettes, particularly with the Government's ambition to reduce smoking rates in the UK to 5% or less by 2030.'
