TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei City Hospital said Friday that it now offers six publicly funded cancer screenings.

The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Health Promotion Administration and the Taipei City Government. The hospital said the program aims to improve early detection rates for breast, cervical, colorectal, oral, stomach, and lung cancers, per CNA.

The hospital said that those aged 25 to 29 are eligible for one free Pap test every three years, while women 30 and older can receive one annually. Additionally, women aged 35, 45, and 65 are entitled to one free HPV test in those specific years.

Individuals aged 40 to 44 with a family history of colorectal cancer, as well as all those aged 45 to 74, are eligible for one free fecal occult blood test every two years, the hospital said.

Individuals aged 30 and older who smoke or chew betel nut are eligible for a free oral cancer screening every two years. Women aged 40 to 74 can receive a free breast X-ray exam every two years. Additionally, those aged 45 to 74 with a family history of lung cancer are eligible for a free CT lung scan every two years.

Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for several consecutive years, the hospital said. According to the health ministry, approximately 132,000 new cancer cases were reported in Taiwan in 2022, an increase of about 8,500 cases compared to 2021.

In 2022, 83% of cancer patients in Taiwan were 50 years of age or older, the ministry said. The three most common cancer types that year were lung cancer with 17,982 cases, colorectal cancer with 17,643 cases, and breast cancer with 17,366 cases.

The hospital also urged older adults to undergo screenings for muscle strength, cognitive function, and chronic conditions. It added that these screenings can help delay the onset of disability or dementia.