Update on Cancer Prevention Research in the United States and China: The 2009 China—U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research

Abstract

Cancer is one of the major physical, social, and economic burdens and public health threats worldwide. Citizens everywhere face the challenge of dealing with the costs and devastation of this dreadful disease regardless of country of residence. In October 2009, a joint China-U.S. forum focusing on cancer prevention was held in Changsha, China. The goal of this timely joint conference was to provide a forum for the exchange of the most recent and relevant information on cancer control, translational cancer prevention research, and clinical trials in China and the United States. The scientifically driven symposium comprised didactic sessions that included discussions focused on identifying and validating effective chemopreventive agents and their molecular and cellular targets. A major highlight of the meeting was the participation of Chinese and American experts from Xiangya Medical School, Central South University and the Center for Health Policy and Management (China), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH, United States), who provided a unique insight into each country's public efforts and progress in cancer prevention. Participants clearly agreed that our current understanding of the many factors influencing cancer causation indicates that as much as two thirds or more of human cancers can be prevented. This perspective presents an overview of the progress being made in cancer prevention in China and the United States. Cancer Prev Res; 3(12); 1630-7. Ó2010 AACR.

Cancer Information Seekers in China: A Preliminary Profile

“…B. . Overall, the patterns of cancer incidence and mortality in China are becoming increasingly similar to those observed in Western countries (Bode et al, 2010;China Ministry of Health, 2008), with behavior-related and modifiable risk factors accounting for the majority of cancer incidents and deaths (J. B.…”

Expanding the NCI Health Information National Trends Survey From the United States to China and Beyond: Examining the Influences of Consumer Health Information Needs and Practices on Local and Global Health

“…The international expansion of the HINTS research program to China is especially relevant in China, where there are serious public health concerns, strong needs to disseminate relevant health information, and particular concerns about cancer prevention and control (Kreps et al, 2012; Kreps et al, 2014). Cancer has become the leading cause of death in China, and there is uneven dissemination of cancer prevention and control information throughout the country (Bode, Cao, & Dong, 2010; China National Bureau of Statistics, 2012; Guo, Huang, Yu, & Li, 2012; Zhao, Dai, Chen, & Li, 2010). There is a serious and growing cancer burden in China, with increasing levels of cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality (Ferlay et al, 2010; Ministry of Health, The People’s Republic of China, 2008).…”

“…One major area of investigation with the preliminary HINTS-China survey data has been to establish a profile of cancer information seekers in China, identifying which segments of the Chinese population are actively seeking cancer-related health information, and which segments are having difficulties accessing the cancer information they need (Zhao et al, 2014; Zhao et al, 2015). As cancer is now the leading cause of death in China, there is great demand for developing strategic health communication programs for disseminating information to the public about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment (Bode et al, 2010; China National Bureau of Statistics, 2012; Guo et al, 2012). A related study conducted with the Beijing and Hefei HINTS-China data examined media consumption patterns (including television, newspaper, radio, and Internet) and their impact on health information seeking and cancer cognitions in China (Persoskie, Chou, Huang, et al, 2014).…”

Cancer prevention and control: alarming challenges in China

“…Some progress has admittedly occurred, but China is currently undergoing a period of social transformation from rural communities to a rapid and unprecedented urbanization, a process associated with contradictions and problems in public health and hospital management for cancer prevention and treatment [7]. China is facing many challenges in cancer treatment and prevention for the general population, including accurate registration of cancer incidence and mortality and statistical analysis and evaluation of prognostic information [7]. Financial support from the Chinese government for medical insurance has increased access to screening to include more rural and poor Chinese, thereby reducing cancer mortalities.…”

“…Financial support from the Chinese government for medical insurance has increased access to screening to include more rural and poor Chinese, thereby reducing cancer mortalities. However, at this point in time, the policies in place do not tremendously nor mutually promote cancer research, epidemiological investigation or the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer [7]. …”