As lung cancer continues to challenge global healthcare systems, China's medical experts emphasize the need to balance surgical innovation with patient-centered care. Professor Zhou Qinghua, a leading thoracic surgeon at West China Hospital's Lung Cancer Center, shared insights with KhabarAsia.com on evolving treatment approaches in 2026.
"While robotic-assisted surgeries and AI-driven diagnostics represent groundbreaking progress, our first priority remains minimizing patient trauma and maximizing quality of life," Zhou stated. His team recently reported a 15% improvement in post-operative recovery times through enhanced minimally invasive techniques.
Despite advancements, challenges persist. Late-stage diagnosis remains common across Asia, with cultural stigma around cancer screening still prevalent in some communities. The Chinese mainland has seen increased investment in mobile CT screening units this year, particularly in rural areas where access to specialized care remains limited.
Zhou's research highlights the growing importance of personalized treatment plans: "Genetic profiling now allows us to tailor therapies more precisely than ever before. This year, we've implemented new biomarker testing protocols that reduce unnecessary chemotherapy by 30% in early-stage patients."
International collaboration continues to shape progress, with West China Hospital partnering with institutions in Singapore and the Republic of Korea on a five-year lung cancer genomics study. These developments offer hope as healthcare systems prepare for Asia's aging populations and evolving environmental health challenges.
