China integral to the global fight against cancer
By Rong Xiaozheng and Wang Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-09 09:38
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The 21st World Cancer Congress (WCC) will make its debut in China in August, showcasing the importance of China's role and contribution in the global fight against cancer.
"China is playing an increasingly important role in global cancer control and prevention. Its huge population is undergoing a rapid and profound health transition, for example, changes in diet and physical activities," David Hill, president of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), said at the 21st WCC press conference.
About 8 million people die of cancer every year, with 80 percent of them coming from low- or middle-income nations with poor medical care and inadequate prevention systems.
"In recent years, however, China has made considerable progress not only in clinical medicine and modern medical expertise and technology, but also in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cancer," Hill stresses.
Organized by the UICC, the 21st WCC will be held from August 18 to 21 in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. It is the first time China has been selected as the host for the Congress.
The WCC usually has a pronounced effect on the host country, in terms of enhancing the country's capacity and capability for cancer treatment and prevention
"China has the largest population in the world. Unfortunately, Chinese people usually hold a very stereotypical pessimistic perception toward the disease as if it is incurable," Hill says.
According to a global survey conducted by UICC, 43 percent of Chinese surveyed agreed with the statement: "Once a person has cancer, not much can be done to cure it." But in countries with a high average income level, only 14 percent of respondents thought this way.
Chinese oncology experts are working hard to overcome the public's perception of the disease.
The theme of the 21st WCC is "Preventing the preventable, treating the treatable, systems to make it happen".
"We also hope that through hosting this congress, it will further strengthen China's cancer prevention and treatment efforts," says Hao Xishan, president of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association.
One third of all cancers can be prevented simply by changing behavior and habits, Hao says.
The 2010 WCC will focus on primary prevention, screening and early detection, treatment and management, and supportive care.
The World Leadership Summit on Cancer, another highlight of this WCC, will be held during the conference. This event is expected to involve 120 CEOs of major international corporations in all related industries, general director and senior officials of WHO, top UN officials, CEOs of key UICC members, and media. They will present and exchange ideas on cancer prevention and treatment.
"In comparison to the previous WCCs, the 21st WCC will be on a larger scale, with more participants and potentially larger influence. Chen Zhu, China's health minister, and Margaret Chan, director-general of the WHO, are expected to participate in the opening ceremony," Hao says.
The WCC has been staged 20 times, with 18 previous meetings hosted by European and American countries. Among Asian countries, only Japan and India have hosted the WCC. China had previously made three unsuccessful bids for the congress.
In 2006, the Chinese Medical Association set up a bidding team led by Professor Hao and their determined efforts secured the 21st WCC for China.