Expansion of free cancer screenings paying off: HPAPLAYING IT SAFE: Screenings helped 23.3 percent more people discover abnormalities early compared with last year, potentially improving health outcomes, the HPA saidBy Hou Chia-yu and Sam Garcia / Staff reporter, with staff writerCancer screenings this year increased by 24.8 percent, helping about 71,000 people discover signs of cancer early, following the government’s expansion of the program, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said yesterday. Shen encouraged all people who are eligible to get a free screening to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer. The HPA urged those whose screenings showed signs of cancer to follow up with a doctor as soon as possible to ensure early treatment. For cervical cancer screenings, the eligible age for a subsidized Pap smear test once every three years was lowered from 30 to 25. For breast cancer screenings, subsidized mammograms once every two years are now available for women aged 40 to 74, expanded from 45 to 70.

Source: Taipei Times December 23, 2025 17:14 UTC