The Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, has joined forces with all parties to advance Thailand’s lung health agenda through the “Lung Health Policy Forum: Breathing Matters – A Policy Vision for Stronger Lung Health for Thai People”. The forum aims to accelerate action on lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while promoting equitable access to innovative screening and treatment from the earliest stages of disease. The initiative seeks to sustainably improve the quality of life of Thai patients and strengthen the country’s lung health system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global number of new cancer cases is projected to rise from approximately 20 million to nearly 35 million annually by 2050. Asia accounts for more than half of all cancer cases worldwide, and lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally, including in Thailand. To address these challenges, WHO has outlined three key strategic priorities – Better Capabilities, Better Protections, and Better Value – to strengthen health systems, protect patients, and maximize the value of innovation and research while ensuring equitable access to effective treatment. มะเร็ง

In Thailand, lung cancer is not the only major concern. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) also poses a significant public health challenge, claiming more than 20,000 Thai lives each year. This reflects the country’s substantial respiratory disease burden of and underscores the urgent need to strengthen prevention, enhance early detection, and ensure timely access to treatment.

Assoc. Prof. Kamon Kawkitinarong, M.D., President of the Thoracic Society of Thailand under Royal Patronage, highlighted the severity of lung cancer, noting that it remains the leading cause of death among Thais, claiming more than 20,000 lives annually. Although treatment innovations have advanced and improved patients’ chances of survival, Thailand still faces a high mortality rate because one of the key challenges is that the disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages. At the same time, the profile of lung cancer patients is changing. The disease is no longer confined to smokers. Research has shown increasing numbers of cases among women and younger people who have never smoked, with EGFR gene mutations found in 50-60% of patients. Alarmingly, more than 70% of lung cancer patients in Thailand are diagnosed only after the disease has already advanced, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen screening and early detection efforts.

Prof. Thanyanan Baisamut, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Lung Cancer Specialist at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, stressed that lung cancer is a health issue that deserves attention from everyone, particularly people at higher risk or those with a history of smoking. She recommended Low-Dose CT (LDCT) screening to increase the likelihood of detecting lung cancer at an early stage. Today, treatment options have become far more advanced and precise, including surgery, multidisciplinary care, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, enabling more personalized treatment for each patient.

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