Liu Minxia

    mllmx@msn.com

    LUNG cancer was the top killer among tumor-related deaths in Shenzhen last year, while the number of residents with other forms of cancer, especially rectal, cervical and thyroid cancer, has been increasing at a quick pace, the Shenzhen’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Center said Thursday.

    Nearly 20,400 Shenzhen residents were found to have tumors, up 10 percent from 18,547 in 2014, said Peng Ji, a director at the center. About 194 of every 100,000 Shenzhen residents were found to have cancer last year, compared with 179 in 2014 and 185 in 2013.

    Ten major forms of cancer made up nearly 80 percent of the total. Among patients found to have cancer last year, 6,460 are permanent residents.

    Lung cancer was the top killer for male residents in Shenzhen, while breast cancer was the top killer for the city’s female residents. Thyroid cancer became the second top cause of death among women.

    The number of Shenzhen residents diagnosed with tumors grew at an annual rate of 4.15 percent from 2000 to 2013, and nearly 70 percent of deaths from tumors were caused by late diagnosis, according to Peng.

    “Early detection is key to successful treatment,” said Peng. “Thyroid cancer is related to excessive radiation, and inappropriate intake of iodine. Guangdong has a high rate of nasopharyngeal cancer and it’s related to EB virus infection and genetic factors.”

    People found to have cancer last year were mainly between 40 and 65 years old. Most female patients were between 40 and 50 years old and most male patients between 60 and 70 years old.