Stage Shift Improves Lung Cancer Survival: Real-World Evidence

IntroductionLung cancer is the global leading cause of death. Taiwan initiated several health policies including smoking cessation, precision therapy, and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening in 1997. We aimed to investigate effect public on lung survival.MethodsWe retrieved nationwide registry from Ministry Health Welfare evaluate prevalence incidence mortality 1994 2020. also conducted a retrospective analysis clinical characteristics survival 17,298 patients with 2006 2019 using National University Hospital database.ResultsTaiwan an anti-smoking campaign 1997, reimbursed tyrosine kinase inhibitors since 2004, LDCT trial 2015. Lung keeps rising but annual percent change rate gradually decreased 0.41% −2.41%. The data revealed that 5-year substantially improved 22.1% 2011 54.9% 2015 Improvement was observed all stages, especially late stages (stage III: 17.2% 35.2%; stage IV: 7.9% 16.5%). Furthermore, remarkable shift 0, I, IIincreased 19.3% 62.8%, III IV 70.9% 33.8%). prominent improvement primarily driven by advanced localized, potentially curable disease.ConclusionsThis real-world evidence suggested association between diagnostic early-stage cancer, highlighting importance early detection for control.