The press conference on the launch of the free lung cancer screening program in Hainan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The launching ceremony for the free lung cancer screening program in Hainan was held at Boao Evergrande International Hospital on June 28. In addition, an international seminar on the early screening and diagnosis of lung cancer was held.

Lung cancer has the highest malignant tumor incidence rate and mortality rate in China. According to statistics from the National Cancer Center, as many as 780,000 new cases of lung cancer occur in China each year, while the annual number of deaths due to lung cancer is 630,000.

Outstanding experts and scholars from hospitals from home and abroad like Brigham and Women's Hospital in the United States, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Shanghai Chest Hospital, and Hainan Provincial People's Hospital participated in the seminar through both online and offline means.

Pressing issues on the prevention and treatment of lung cancer in the era of precision medicine were discussed during the seminar.

"Our hospital is the only overseas affiliated hospital of Brigham and Women's Hospital and we will make full use of the high-quality medical resources from China and the US to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer," said Yang Yi, president of Boao Evergrande International Hospital.

Yang added that the hospital will give full play to the preferential policies in Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, introducing overseas clinical medicine that is urgently needed but haven't obtained market access in China, which will improve lung cancer treatments.

Fu Gan, chief economic manager of the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration, expressed hopes that the program can increase people's awareness in the early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer, making contributions to poverty alleviation efforts.

Free screenings will be available on every Tuesday and Thursday at Boao Evergrande International Hospital for the next three years and those who want to book a screening should make reservations by phone.

Time: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Location: Boao Evergrande International Hospital

Contact:

Reservation: 400-001-0018, +86-898-36868595

Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Patient Service Center: 4000-118-118