Statistics show 20 percent of the world's newly-diagnosed cancer cases are found in China, with 24 percent of all cancer-related deaths occurring in China. Only 13 percent of the cancer patients in this country actually survive.

Hao Xishan, the head of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association told Outlook Weekly that for the last 30 years, the number of diagnosed cancer cases is growing at a rate of 3 to 5 percent, three quarters of which are found in newly-developed industrial countries and developing countries.

China, the world's biggest developing country, has seen rapid changes in the lifestyles of its people, which have led to an increase in the cancer rate, especially with younger people. Numerous studies have found that maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, not eating right, and refraining from exercise will generate a higher risk of cancer, said Hao.

To curb the problem, the Chinese government has invested a large amount of money into cancer research and treatment. For instance, with the funding of the central government, 10 million women living in rural areas have been tested for cervical cancer, while 1.2 million have been tested for breast cancer.

However, people in China still have both fears and a misunderstanding about the disease. Hao called on the government as well as the media to make more efforts to introduce knowledge on cancer prevention and control.

If everyone could quit their unhealthy habits, then the end goal of decreasing the cancer rate will finally be achieved, Hao said.

(CRIENGLISH.com June 22, 2010)