Last year, over 2.8 million people died of cancer in China – an average of 7,500 deaths per day. Cancer is among the leading causes of death in China.
“The number of cases of cancer and cancer-related deaths every year in China is staggering. While the annual increase in these numbers is disappointing, but the real tragedy is that most of these cases are preventable,” said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China.
“With cancer numbers so high, scarcely anybody can avoid being touched in one way or another. A cancer diagnosis does not just impact those directly affected – friends and families suffer heartache and financial hardship.”
The increasing number of cancer cases in China is in large part the result of modifiable risk factors. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity greatly increase the risk of cancer.
“Smoking in particular is a cause of tremendous concern in China, where 30% of cancer deaths are caused by lung cancer,” said Dr Schwartländer.
“There are over 315 million smokers in China, and the number continues to rise. Nearly half of all Chinese men smoke. Unsurprisingly, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer among men.”
In addition to lung cancer, stomach, liver, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers are leading cancers among both men and women in China. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, moderating alcohol consumption, and engaging in plenty of physical activity are essential to greatly reducing the risk of many of these, and other, types of cancer. Chronic viral hepatitis is also a major contributor to the burden of liver cancer in China.
While adopting a healthy lifestyle lessens the risk of cancer, the importance of early detection and treatment cannot be overstated.
“With few exceptions, early stage cancers are less lethal and more treatable than late stage cancers,” said Dr Schwartländer.
“Early detection of cancer saves lives.”
“Cancer is not just an individual health issue – it reaches into all aspects of society, including the economy and the public health system,” said Dr Schwartländer.
“Raising awareness of the warning signs, promoting early diagnosis, and improving treatment must continue to be a focus of China’s cancer control efforts. China’s ongoing health reform creates the opportunity to establish a modern health system which reverses the trend of increasing cases of cancer and contributes to healthy and prosperous society,” said Dr Schwartländer.
About the World Health Organization
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For more information please contact:
Ms Liu Shujun
WHO China Office
E-mail: liush@who.int
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