China Reports Improved Cancer Survival Rates, Focuses on Reducing Treatment Disparities

Beijing — The National Cancer Center of China has reported continuous improvement in the country's five-year cancer survival rate, which increased from 40.5% in 2015 to 43.7% in 2022. However, challenges remain in addressing regional disparities in access to quality cancer prevention and treatment services.

China’s health authorities have introduced an official Cancer Prevention and Control Action Plan (2023–2030), aiming to increase the five-year cancer survival rate to 46.6% by 2030. The country is also advancing cancer screening prototypes to enhance prevention, early detection, and timely treatment.

Monitoring data from 2000 to 2018 shows a consistent decline in the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal and stomach cancers—common among Chinese populations—attributed to expanded upper gastrointestinal cancer screening programs.

Cervical and breast cancers pose significant threats to women's health in China. Since the initiation of nationwide screening programs in 2009, the number of women benefiting from these services has steadily grown. The National Health Commission reports that over 280 million free cervical cancer screenings have been conducted, identifying 902,000 cancer cases and precancerous lesions.

Nevertheless, challenges persist, including unequal access to screening and substandard screening quality. Some community hospitals and rural clinics lack adequately trained specialists, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and missed early treatment opportunities.

To address these issues, the National Cancer Center is refining early cancer screening and diagnostic guidelines for seven types of cancer, including lung and gastric cancers. These guidelines aim to improve early-stage interventions and reduce disparities.

Efforts to lower cancer incidence and mortality rely on effective prevention and standardized treatment. Despite some district hospitals adding oncology and radiotherapy departments, many still fail to meet diagnostic and treatment standards.

Liu Jinfen, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission, emphasized the need to enhance primary healthcare institutions' cancer treatment capacities through technical support, talent development, and telemedicine consultations to facilitate resource sharing.

Chen Zhu, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted the importance of advancing cancer research, calling for intensified efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies and fostering cancer-related industries.

China has made significant progress in cancer treatment, developing more accessible anti-cancer drugs and diagnostic equipment. Over the past decade, the number of new anti-cancer drugs approved in China has risen to 208, with domestically developed drugs accounting for over 60% in 2024.

The National Health Commission added that China plans to establish dedicated teams to address major challenges related to cancer immunity mechanisms, metabolism pathways, and other critical issues.

 

Source: Xinhua Thai
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