TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Health Insurance spending on cancer care reached a record NT$156.7 billion (US$4.92 billion) last year, rising more than NT$26.5 billion from 2020, according to the National Health Insurance Administration.

Last year, nearly one million people in Taiwan received cancer treatment, up 5% from 2020. The administration said cancer care spending is expected to rise further due to more cancer cases, an aging population, and changing lifestyles, per CNA.

Among the spending on cancer treatment, lung cancer accounted for the highest cost at NT$28.7 billion, followed by breast cancer at NT$24.1 billion and colorectal cancer at NT$17.3 billion. Breast cancer had the most people seeking care, at nearly 199,000, followed by colorectal cancer with 120,000 and lung cancer with 110,000.

National Health Insurance spending on pancreatic cancer also increased last year. The cancer’s early symptoms are often unclear, with most cases diagnosed at a late stage. Slower drug development compared with other cancers has also contributed to rising medical costs, the administration said.

Huang Yu-wen (黃育文), an official at the administration, said cancer screening costs also accounted for part of the spending. Last year, the government spent NT$6.8 billion on cancer screenings and expanded the age range eligible for free screenings.

The government’s cancer prevention and treatment strategy focuses on expanding screening eligibility and improving early diagnosis. It also aims to speed up the adoption of new technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery, AI-powered diagnostic systems, and heavy ion therapy, a new form of radiation treatment.

Ma Yin-chin (馬吟津), director of the Formosa Cancer Foundation, said the administration has expanded National Health Insurance coverage for drugs used to treat lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. She also stressed the importance of stabilizing the Taiwan Multi-support Cancer Drugs Fund.

Established last year, the fund received NT$5 billion from the Cabinet and is set to receive another NT$5 billion this year, focusing on cancer drugs not yet covered by National Health Insurance. Last year, it spent NT$2 billion on 11 new drugs for lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.