Jakarta, 8 May 2026: ERIA convened a webinar titled ‘Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Strategies in Asia’ on 8 May 2026, providing a platform to raise awareness, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to improving colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment across the region.

The event brought together experts from Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and aimed to foster collaboration amongst healthcare professionals, policymakers, academia, and the private sector.

Dr Manami Uechi, Director of Health and Social Welfare at ERIA, opened the webinar by highlighting the rising incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Asia and emphasising the importance of collective efforts to strengthen inclusive and equitable access to cancer screening and treatment.

Dr Pham Nguyen Quy, oncologist and expert consultant for ERIA, moderated the presentation and discussion sessions. The speakers included:

1. Associate Professor Hisaki Kono, health and developmental economist at Kyoto University, highlighted that the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is the most cost-effective screening method in resource-constrained settings. However, low screening uptake and poor compliance with follow-up colonoscopies remain major challenges, requiring policy interventions at the patient, provider, and health-system levels.
2. Dr Chia-lun Chang, medical oncologist from the Taiwan Oncology Society and Formosa Cancer Foundation, shared Taiwan’s best practices in colorectal cancer screening. He highlighted the role of government-supported FIT screening programmes, expanded eligibility criteria, public awareness campaigns, and strengthened follow-up systems in improving early detection.
3. Dr Suleeporn Sangrajrang, epidemiologist at Thailand’s Wattanosoth Cancer Hospital, emphasised the importance of conducting economic evaluations and health technology assessments before establishing national colorectal cancer screening programmes, drawing on Thailand’s experience.
4. Dr Pham Nhu Hien, oncologist at Hue Central Hospital, Viet Nam, discussed current challenges in colorectal cancer diagnosis and screening in the country, as well as ongoing physician training and research collaborations. The presentation also highlighted future priorities, including early detection, minimally invasive treatment, and quality standardisation.
5. Mr Keitaro Inoko of Olympus Medical Indonesia shared innovations such as the EVIS X with Extended Depth of Field (EDOF) technology to improve early detection and diagnostic reliability, while underscoring the importance of long-term, multi-sectoral collaboration for sustainable healthcare delivery.

The discussion session highlighted the importance of linking scientific evidence with public advocacy efforts in each country. Panellists also noted the need for further studies to identify barriers to screening uptake, better understand public perceptions and perceived benefits, and strengthen quality standardisation efforts to address healthcare inequities. Social media was also recognised as a potential tool for promoting greater public awareness and participation in screening programmes.

The webinar concluded with closing remarks by Dr Sarah K. Abe, Manager for Healthcare Services at ERIA, who emphasised that sustained progress in colorectal cancer prevention and care will require continued awareness, collaboration, and cross-sectoral action.