Norman Ng: Promoting the Implementation of AI Lung Cancer Screening in Hong Kong
Norman Ng, Director of Patient Advocacy and Public Affairs at Healthcare Thinkers, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Promoting the Implementation of AI Lung Cancer Screening in Hong Kong to Safeguard Public Health.
Yesterday, I was deeply honored to participate online in the roundtable meeting on ‘Leading Technology and Medical Integration,’ organized by the Cancer Strategy Concern Group and the DAB. As the convenor of the Lung Cancer Patient Concern Group, I was truly inspired and encouraged by Dr. Molly Li from the CUHK Faculty of Medicine, who shared insights into their ‘AI-Assisted Lung Cancer Screening Program.’
Since July last year, Dr. Li and his team have focused on screening high-risk individuals – those with a family history of lung cancer but no smoking habits. To date, about 1,400 participants have been recruited.
Using AI to analyze CT scans, the team found that 1 out of every 100 people was diagnosed with lung cancer, and when including high-risk nodules, the rate climbed to 2–2.5%. These figures far exceed the positive screening rates of colorectal cancer (0.7%) and breast cancer (0.4%), highlighting the crucial value of early detection in lung cancer prevention and treatment.
Even more encouraging, the program shows remarkable cost-effectiveness.
A traditional CT scan with report at private hospitals costs around HK$2,000, but AI assistance cuts that nearly in half. Compared to monthly targeted or immunotherapy costs for late-stage lung cancer, which range from HK$30,000–$50,000, early screening significantly reduces medical expenses. Taiwan’s success in similar screening programs further reinforces both the clinical and economic benefits.
On behalf of the Lung Cancer Patient Concern Group, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Tony Mok, Dr. Molly Li, and the CUHK team for their outstanding contributions.
We sincerely hope Hong Kong can learn from this initiative and incorporate Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) into regular screenings – especially for high-risk groups. Early detection dramatically boosts the chances of cure. This isn’t just a medical breakthrough – it’s a solemn promise to honor life.
Finally, we urge the government, the medical field, and all sectors of society to come together in support of widespread AI-based screening. Let more citizens benefit from the fruits of technological and medical integration, and work hand in hand toward the vision of “early detection and early treatment” in lung cancer care.
Norman Ng
Convenor, Lung Cancer Patient Concern Group.”
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