In early December, the authoritative medical journal The Lancet Public Health published the results of a striking study. According to the study, the number of cancer-related deaths in China increased by more than 20% from 2005 to 2020. The numbers show that the number of cancer-related deaths reached a staggering 2.4 million in 2020, an increase of 21 compared to 15 years ago6%。
The release of this data not only reveals the severity of the current situation of cancer in China, but also arouses the deep concern of the whole society for cancer prevention and control. Despite the great advances in medical technology over the past decade, the growing trend in cancer-related deaths has not been effectively curbed. There are many factors involved, including but not limited to environmental factors, lifestyle changes, an aging population, and uneven distribution of medical resources.
First of all, the role of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of cancer cannot be ignored. With the rapid development of industrialization, the problem of air, water and soil pollution is increasing, which may increase the risk of cancer. In addition, some bad habits in modern life, such as smoking, unhealthy eating habits, etc., have also contributed to the increase in cancer incidence to a certain extent.
Second, population ageing is also an important factor in the growth of cancer-related deaths. With the improvement of living standards and the advancement of medical technology, the life expectancy of China's population has been increasing, but with it, the risk of cancer in the elderly has increased. The mortality rate is also relatively high due to the declining physical function of the elderly and their ability to fight cancer is relatively weak.
In addition, the uneven distribution of medical resources is also an important factor affecting the effectiveness of cancer prevention and control. In some areas with relatively scarce medical resources, patients often have difficulty accessing timely and effective treatments, which has also led to an increase in cancer-related mortality. Therefore, how to optimize the allocation of medical resources and improve the diagnosis and treatment level of primary medical institutions is the key to reducing cancer mortality.
In the face of this grim situation, both medical institutions and all sectors of society need to work together to take practical and effective measures to deal with the threat of cancer. For example, strengthening environmental governance, promoting healthy lifestyles, improving the level of primary care, and increasing cancer screening and early development. At the same time, the public should also raise their awareness of cancer and self-protection, and actively participate in various health promotion activities to protect the health of themselves and their families.
In summary, the number of cancer-related deaths in China has increased by more than 20% over the past 15 years, which is a wake-up call. We must face up to this grim reality and take proactive responses to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality. This requires not only the efforts of the first and medical institutions, but also the joint participation and efforts of the whole society. Only in this way can we win this protracted battle against cancer and contribute to the health and well-being of the people.