1 in 50 Shanghai women has cancer

One in every 50 Shanghai women has cancer, a total of more than 140,000 currently living in the city.

Each year 357 in every 100,000 are diagnosed with cancer in the city - 25,000 cases - and there are 14,000 deaths from it, health officials said ahead of International Women's Day on Friday.

Cancer statistics are based on citizens with permanent residency, officials from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

They said the city's incidence of cancer in women was rising slowly along with its rising number of elderly people.

However, early screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancers can help prevent 30 percent of cancer cases.

Breast, colorectal, lung, gastric and thyroid cancers are the five most common forms among women, with breast cancer accounting for 16 percent of Shanghai's new cases each year and colorectal cancer 13 percent.

Cervical cancer, although only the 12th leading cancer in women in Shanghai, is particularly prevalent among women between 25 and 54 years old.

Dr Zheng Ying, director of the center's tumor prevention and control department, said breast, colorectal and cervical cancers accounted for 32 percent of female cancers.

"However," he added, "the three types of cancer can be detected and treated properly through early and regular screening. Our main target of women's cancer prevention education this year is breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer."

The prevention and control of colorectal cancer will be a new public health project this year with the city government promoting a community-based screening program.

Cases of colorectal cancer are rising by 4 percent a year in Shanghai.

Experts say women over 20 should examine their breasts every month and have annual clinical checks after the age of 35. Women over 50 should have mammograms every two years.

For cervical cancer, women over 20 should be checked every three years.

Women over 50 years old should have annual medical checks.

Zheng said anyone with a family history of the three types of cancer should be aware of the need for more frequent examinations and early screening.

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