According to cancer registry report issued by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), in 2020, the total number of patients diagnosed with cancer for the first time was 121,979, which translates to one new cancer diagnosis every 4 minutes and 19 seconds. Because early stages of cancer do not show obvious symptoms, it may be too late when alarming signs in the body are noticed. Cancer screenings ensure early detection and early treatment, which allows patients to receive timely treatments.

To decrease the incidence rate and mortality rate of cancer, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and HPA joined hands and initiated the NHI Cancer Treatment Quality Improvement Program on June 1, 2023. The program established a human-centered mechanism that links the process of screening, tracking, and diagnosis. In addition, the program prompts collaborating medical facilities to actively follow up on all patients with suspicious and abnormal screening results for colon cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. These medical facilities must take initiative in providing health guides, explaining follow-up examination procedures and relevant matters needing attention, and making appropriate arrangements according to the patients' wishes to ensure the completion of further medical diagnosis.

Empirical data have shown that taking a fecal occult blood test every two years can reduce the mortality rate for colon cancer by 35%; for those who regularly consume betelnuts or smoke, taking an oral mucosal screening every two years can reduce the risk of mortality for oral cancer by 26%; taking a Pap smear test every three years can reduce the mortality rate for cervical cancer by 70%; receiving an X-ray mammography every two years can reduce the mortality rate for breast cancer by 41%; and taking a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can help to reduce the mortality rate for lung cancer by 20% for heavy smokers. Minister Hsueh, Jui-Yuan of the Ministry of Health and Welfare appealed to those who are eligible to regularly take screening tests (fecal occult blood test, oral mucosal screening, Pap smear test, X-ray mammography, and LDCT) offered by the government. If the screening results show abnormality, patients do not need to panic, simply follow the doctor's orders to receive further examinations in a hospital to ensure early treatment. Moreover, follow-up tracking and treatments can reduce the threat the patient's health and decrease the impact of cancer diagnoses on them and on their families.