TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) spotlighted Taiwan’s progress in virus-related cancer prevention during an international symposium on cancer research held Thursday and Friday at the Vatican.
The event gathered global experts to discuss advancements in cancer research, healthcare, and prevention. Chen highlighted Taiwan’s notable success in reducing cancers linked to viral and bacterial infections, according to CNA.
He pointed to sharp declines in liver and stomach cancer in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, attributing the trend to effective virus control strategies. Taiwan’s hepatitis B vaccination program, launched in 1984, led to a 75% drop in liver cancer mortality among vaccinated individuals by 1997.
Chronic hepatitis B and C infections are the primary causes of liver cancer. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 70% of liver cancer deaths involve hepatitis B, and 20% are linked to hepatitis C.
For stomach cancer, Taiwan began offering free national treatment for Helicobacter pylori in 2003. This initiative has contributed to a steady decline in stomach cancer cases.
H. pylori is one of the few bacteria able to survive in the stomach’s acidic environment, is a known risk factor for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer.
Epidemiological studies suggest up to 90% of stomach cancer cases can be traced to H. pylori infection. Screening and eradicating the bacteria has proven to be a highly effective prevention strategy, according to the Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Research Foundation.
Taiwan also introduced nationwide cervical cancer screening in 1995 using pap smears. By 2020, both the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer had dropped by 70%.
Regular screening every three years can reduce cervical cancer risk by 60% to 90%, according to the Taipei City Department of Health.
Chen addressed the heightened risk of nasopharyngeal cancer among Chinese populations due to Epstein-Barr virus, despite its global prevalence. Taiwan is collaborating with researchers in Hong Kong and Singapore to develop early detection tools using EBV biomarkers.
The causes of nasopharyngeal cancer, which affects the area behind the nose and above the throat, are believed to involve viral, genetic, and environmental factors. Studies show patients often have elevated EBV antibodies, reinforcing its strong association with the disease, according to the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Chi-Shin Clinic.
Chen’s presentation drew interest from international attendees, including Nobel laureates exploring the feasibility of an EBV vaccine and US researchers impressed by Asia’s preventive strategies.
Despite regional progress, Chen noted that many countries, particularly in parts of Africa, continue to struggle with controlling hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HPV. He suggested that Asia-Pacific’s prevention models could serve as a blueprint for improving global outcomes.
He also chaired a panel discussion on turning scientific findings into practical cancer prevention policies, highlighting the lack of basic radiotherapy access in some African regions as an urgent issue. Chen hoped that Taiwan’s experience could help bridge healthcare gaps and strengthen virus-related cancer prevention efforts in underserved areas around the world.
