Cancer Screening

Lung Cancer Screening Plan

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Hong Kong, with over 4,000 new cases diagnosed annually. In 2023 alone, 3,880 people in Hong Kong died from lung cancer. Since early-stage lung cancer typically presents no obvious symptoms, signs only tend to appear as the disease progresses, such as persistent coughing, blood in the sputum, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and bone pain.

If you are aged 50 or above, have a history of smoking or prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, or have a family history of lung cancer, your risk of developing the disease is higher. In such cases, it is recommended to undergo a Lung Cancer Screening to detect lung cancer early and reduce the risk of death.

HEAL Medical’s Lung Cancer Health Screening Plan includes a doctor consultation before and after the screening, as well as a low-dose chest CT scan. This screening can help detect early-stage tumours and has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by up to 39%. High-risk individuals are encouraged to undergo screening to improve the effectiveness of treatment. Take action today to protect your health and that of your loved ones!

Who Should Get Screened for Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is associated with the following risk factors:

Age 50 or above
Family history of lung cancer
Smoking or having quit smoking within the last 15 years
Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke
Air pollution (indoor and outdoor)
Occupational exposure (e.g. to radon or asbestos)

Multiple international studies and guidelines recommend that “high-risk individuals” undergo low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening every 1–2 years:

Aged 50 to 80
Smoking index^ (pack-years) greater than 20
Currently smoking or quit smoking within the last 15 years

^{^Smoking index = Number of cigarettes smoked per day (packs) x Years of smoking}

However, increasing medical research has found that among Asian populations, non-smokers account for a significant proportion of all lung cancer cases, and their incidence rates may not differ significantly from those of smokers. Therefore, non-smokers are advised to consult a doctor for professional advice before considering lung cancer screening.

Health Screening Plan