Colorectal cancer, a disease closely related with unhealthy lifestyles, has become the second most fatal form of cancer in Shanghai, medical experts said at an international forum over the weekend to mark World Lymphoma Awareness Day.

"Because of high calorie and protein diets and a lack of physical exercises, colorectal cancer has become the second most fatal cancer in Shanghai, the same as Western countries. Its incidence rate has been increasing by 4.2 percent annually in the city, doubling the speed of the rest of the world," said Dr Qin Xinyu from Zhongshan Hospital. "Scientific research confirms that eating fresh vegetables and fruit and playing sports can effectively prevent the cancer."

Cancer has become the top killer for Chinese, accounting for about 24 percent of deaths in 2004, the forum heard. The incidence rate of cancer has grown by 29 percent in China over the past 20 years, health officials said at yesterday's meeting.

About 80 percent of cancer is related with environment and people's lifestyle. Public awareness is key for cancer prevention and control.

"The Ministry of Health has named cancer as this year's theme for the China Health Education Promotion Plan to help people know more information about cancer and importance of early detection and regular treatment," said Meng Jia from the ministry's disease prevention and control bureau. "The World Health Organization reports that one-third of cancers are preventable, one-third are treatable if detected early and the other one-third of patients can have a better and longer life through proper therapy," Meng said.

Doctors said the medical industry has developed methods to treat complicated cancers like lymphoma, but early detection is essential.

(Shanghai Daily September 18, 2006)