Cancer remains the number one killer in Beijing for the seventh consecutive year, according to a Health and Family Planning Commission report.
The findings were the same in Guangzhou, where 248 out of every 100,000 residents were last year inflicted with the disease, with a death rate of 144 in every 100,000.
According to ECNS, "in early 2013, an annual report issued by the National Central Cancer Registry estimated there were 3.12 million new cancer cases and 2 million cancer deaths annually on the Chinese mainland, which means one death from cancer every six minutes". China accounted for 22 percent of global cancer cases in 2012, and nearly 27 percent of global deaths from cancer. Ma Hongbing, a tumor doctor with Ankang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shaanxi province, blames pollution, work pressure and unhealthy diets for rising cancer cases.
According to Zhang, an oncologist in Beijing, "cancer is not as life-threatening as people think, as long as it is detected early... society should work together to achieve that." He added that regular check-ups can help achieve early detection, while individuals should practice healthy life-styles. The government should also control pollution and provide quality medical care to everyone- including rural areas.
Cancer was followed by heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, injures and intoxication as the biggest killers in the capital- totalling 87 percent of all deaths. Maternal mortality rate is at 9.45 per 100,000 and infant mortality is 2.33 percent.
However, the health of Beijingers overall showed signs of improvement in 2013, with life expectancy increasing to 81.5 years.
[Image via Flickr]
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