Chinese cancer victims multiplying

Beijing (CNS) -- China's cancer patient group is expanding by 2.8 million a year, most of whom suffer from lung cancer, revealed He Jie, head of the Cancer Institute & Hospital (CIH) under Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Saturday.

At this rate, ten years from now China will have more than 3.8 million cancer victims, He added.

In general, it is evident a greater number of urban residents are suffering from cancers than rural dwellers, and the number of new cases as well as the death rate from lung cancer climbs rapidly.

As the burgeoning Chinese population grows older, the numberof new occurrences is expected to increase at a faster rate. Smoking, westernized diet habits, obesity, and lack of exercise are all factors in the worsening situation.

The state authority will set up a center for nationwide cancer prevention and treatment within the year.

A cancer information publicity campaign will be unveiled in CIH on April 15, with more than 100 cancer experts attending and providing consultations to the public.