Current cancer burden in China: epidemiology, etiology, and prevention

Abstract

Cancer has become the most common cause of death in China. Owing to rapid economic development, improved livelihood, and shifts in risk factors, cancer epidemiology has experienced substantial changes during the past several decades. In this review, we aim to describe the current cancer epidemiology of the main types of cancer in China, report major risk factors associated with cancer development, and summarize the contributions of the Chinese government to controlling the cancer burden. A total of 4,064,000 new cases were diagnosed in China in 2016. The most frequent types are lung cancer (828,100; 20.4%), colorectal cancer (408,000; 10.0%), and gastric cancer (396,500; 9.8%). Lung (657,000; 27.2%), liver (336,400, 13.9%), and stomach (288,500; 12.0%) cancers are the 3 most deadly cancers in the general population. The 5-year survival rate for cancer has dramatically increased in recent decades. However, liver and particularly pancreatic cancers still have the poorest prognosis. The main modifiable risk factors associated with cancer development include infectious agents, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, unhealthful dietary habits, and inadequate physical activity. The Chinese government has made unremitting efforts to decrease the cancer burden, including cancer education and investment in cancer screening programs.

Role of pyroptosis in the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases

“…At present, malignant tumors have become one of the most serious diseases endangering human health. 221 , 222 , 223 The tumor occurrence and development, which need detailed research to search proper treatments to improve the survival rate of patients, are affected by a variety of factors, including oncogene activity, oxidative stress, immune microenvironment, and chronic inflammation. 224 , 225 , 226 Particularly, pyroptosis induces inflammatory cytokines release, such as IL‐1 and IL‐18, which could induce an inflammatory environment to increase tumor infiltration and promote the likelihood of tumorigenesis and metastasis.…”

Comprehensive analysis of the cuproptosis-related gene DLD across cancers: A potential prognostic and immunotherapeutic target

“…Cancer is one of the leading diseases causing human death and a significant medical burden worldwide. According to epidemiological surveys, lung cancer (828,100; 20.4%), colorectal cancer (408,000; 10.0%) and gastric cancer (396,500; 9.8%) are the three most common tumors worldwide, and the three deadliest cancers are lung cancer (657,000; 27.2%), liver cancer (336,400; 13.9%) and stomach cancer (288,500; 12.0%) ( Maomao et al, 2022 ). The properties of tumors include biological behaviors acquired during their development, such as evasion of growth inhibitors, resistance to cell death, and achievement of replicative immortality ( Hanahan and Weinberg, 2011 ).…”

The development and validation of a patient-reported outcome measure to assess financial hardship among older cancer survivors in China: hardship and recovery with distress survey

“…Generally speaking, UEBMI has a better benefits package and lower out-of-pocket costs than URRBMI (7,8). However, approximately two-thirds of older adults [more than 60 years or older (9,10)] participate in URRBMI. Patients covered by URRBMI had lower health care utilization and direct medical costs than those covered by UEBMI but paid higher out-of-pocket costs.…”