Evaluation of Lung Cancer Screening Pilot Programme Effectiveness

Ms Mariam Jaafar asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the local evidence from the pilots of lung cancer screening supports such efforts.

The Ministry of Health takes reference from the Screening Test Review Committee's (STRC's) recommendations for screening, including for lung cancer. The Committee's recommendations take into account local and international evidence on clinical and cost-effectiveness of various screening tests. Currently, lung cancer screening is recommended by the STRC only for high-risk individuals, that is, those who are heavy smokers or have a history of heavy smoking.

There are ongoing local studies on lung cancer screening. When the outcomes of these studies are published, any new evidence on lung cancer screening will be taken into account in future reviews of the screening recommendations.