The incidence of cancer is on the rise in China, with 2.2 million men and women dying of cancer each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) – many of which could be prevented. World Cancer Day 2015 is marked on February 4th each year to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
Lung cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Chinese men, and the leading cause among cancer deaths in China.
“Improving cancer prevention in China – for example, by reducing very high smoking rates especially among Chinese men – would save many millions of lives every year,” said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China. “The single best thing you can do for your health is to stop smoking right now.”
For women in China, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, and one of the deadliest.
“Yao Beina was never alone in her fight against breast cancer. Millions of survivors and victims face the same battle,” said Dr Schwartländer.
“The growth of cancer in China is ferocious,” said Dr Schwartländer. “We must do all that we can to prevent cancer, and spare as many Chinese families as possible the heartache, pain, suffering and financial hardship of a cancer diagnosis.”
“Together, with some simple, smart changes especially to unhealthy lifestyle habits, we can have a significant impact on the cancer burden in China – for the better,” said Dr Schwartländer.
Reducing the social and environmental risk factors for cancer and empowering people to make healthy choices are key. Having a healthy life style can reduce the risk of cancer. This includes a healthy diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, and breastfeeding if you are a new mother.
“Early detection of cancer also saves lives,” said Dr Schwartländer. “Awareness is the first step to early detection and improving cancer outcomes, because with few exceptions, early stage cancers are less lethal and more treatable than late stage cancers.”
All women should do regular self-examinations of their breasts, consult with their health care providers to make sure their techniques are correct, and talk to their doctors right away about any changes.
“Unfortunately, not all cancers are preventable – and improving early diagnosis and treatment services must therefore continue to be a focus of cancer control efforts,” said Dr Schwartländer.
“China’s ongoing health reform offers the unique opportunity to establish a modern health system that protects cancer patients from catastrophic financial hardship as a result of the high cost of seeking cancer treatment,” said Dr Schwartländer.
For more information
About the World Health Organization
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
For more information please contact
Ms WU Linlin
WHO China Office
E-mail: wul@wpro.who.int
Office Tel: +86 10 6532 7191