Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced at a municipal government session that Tbilisi will introduce a publicly funded lung cancer screening programme starting May 1, targeting high-risk groups in the capital.
The initiative, financed by Tbilisi City Hall through its City Health and Social Services Agency, will offer free screenings to residents aged 45 to 75 who are active smokers, as well as those who have quit smoking within the past 15 years.
City officials stated that the program is designed to improve early detection of Lung Cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Authorities say early screening of high-risk populations can increase survival rates by up to 70%.
The screening process will involve low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans. Each scan will be independently reviewed by two radiologists, with a third specialist involved in cases where assessments differ, ensuring diagnostic accuracy.
Program parameters, including eligibility criteria, were developed in consultation with specialists in oncology, radiology and pulmonology. Sixteen institutions across Tbilisi have been selected to participate, based on their professional expertise and technical capacity.
