Lung cancer most common cancer in SZ

Lung cancer has once again emerged as the most prevalent cancer among Shenzhen residents, reclaiming the top spot after two years, according to the latest cancer incidence data from the Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control.

In 2023, Shenzhen reported a total of 45,431 new cases of cancer in its permanent population, an increase of 2,905 cases compared to the previous year. 

Thyroid cancer, which previously ranked first on the list of the most common cancers for two consecutive years, slipped to second place in 2023, followed by colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer.

Statistics reveal that the number of lung cancer and thyroid cancer cases accounted for over 40% of all cancer cases diagnosed in 2023.

Analysis of gender distribution in newly diagnosed cancer cases indicates a higher number of cases among females compared to males. Specifically, Shenzhen recorded 25,518 new cases of cancer in women and 19,913 new cases in men in the same year.

Among females, thyroid cancer has maintained its status as the most commonly diagnosed cancer for five consecutive years, followed by lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer.

Lung cancer ranked as the leading cancer among males, followed by thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and gastric cancer.

Cancer is no longer a terminal disease and is now defined as a chronic disease by the medical profession. In 1981, the World Health Organization proposed that one-third of cancer types are preventable, another one-third are curable if detected early, and the remaining one-third are manageable.

Early screening and diagnosis is important for effective cancer treatment, according to doctors. 

Since 2016, the National Cancer Center has been promoting the “early diagnosis and early treatment of cancers” project in Shenzhen, providing a specified number of free screening slots for high-incidence cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.

At present, 465 community health centers in Shenzhen offer free cancer screenings. Meanwhile, the first public proton therapy center in South China is scheduled to open in Shenzhen this year.