About 300,000 Chinese die of stomach cancer every year,
accounting for almost half of the world's total, according to a
conference concerning China's anticancer efforts in Xi'an on
Tuesday.
The latest statistics released by China Tumor Prevention and
Control Office showed every year China has 400,000 new stomach
cancer patients and the deadly disease claimed about 300,000 lives
in China each year.
Jin Maolin, doctor of Beijing University's clinical tumor
school, said currently the stomach cancer is the third deadliest
cancer in China following lung cancer and liver cancer.
Most stomach cancer patients in China are at the age from 50 to
80 and men are more likely to catch the deadly disease, Jin
said.
The number of women suffering from stomach cancer in the rural
areas has risen 25 percent in the last five years, said Jin quoting
the latest figures released by National Cancer Control Office.
The doctor said frequent eating of salted food and addition to
tobacco and alcohol will raise the possibilities of catching the
disease, while exercise, fresh vegetables and fruits can help
people prevent cancer.
(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2006)