UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Background: In year 2000, an estimated 1.8-2.0 million new cancer cases and 1.4-1.5 million deaths were in China. Cancer deaths account for about 20% of total deaths of all causes. Over past two decades, the mortality rates continue to rise up. The increasing was mainly due to the aging of population.

Objective: To develop and implement China's National Cancer Control Strategic Plan.

Methods: Experts from cancer related NGOs and academic institutions developed China's National Cancer Control Strategic Plan through serial national consensus meetings. The implementation was tested by demonstration projects.

Results: In future 20-30 years, cancer deaths will be increasing continually and be major health burden. The spectrum of most common cancers is in the transition stage of developing country to developed country. It is more difficult to prevent and control because of the double burden phenomenon of developed and developing countries. The mortality is increasing more higher in rural area than in urban. The priorities of organ specific cancer are lung, liver, stomach, esophagus, colon/rectum and breast cancer, which accounts for about 80% of cancer deaths. Action plan of cancer prevention and control in China includes Smoking control, Control infection (HBV, HPV, HP), Early detection and treatment at countryside for digestive/cervical cancer and at urban for breast/colon cancer, and Better diet and physical activities. Lung cancer is the most dangerous, rapidly-increasing and should be effectively reduced by control smoking. Cervical and nasopharyngeal cancer can also be put into prevention and control plan. Several cancer control demo centers have been tested by resources settings. The 3rd nationwide cancer survey is ongoing.