Tumors kill more people in Shenzhen than any other disease, especially cancerous tumors of the liver, lung and stomach, it was revealed at an annual meeting on the subject Saturday.
Some 20 percent of the people killed by diseases in Shenzhen between 1997 and 2001 were stricken down by tumors of some sort. More than 8,000 patients accepted inpatient treatment in hospital due to tumors last year, making it by far the most deadly category of diseases. Yet the number of tumor sufferers is estimated to double within the next 20 years, the meeting said.
Statistics indicate that between 1999 and 2001, the city received 7,025 reports of fatal tumor cases, among which 56.65 percent were male and 43.35 percent female. Of the men, almost 65 percent were above 50 years old, while nearly 87 percent of female patients were over 30.
Chen Wei, professor with the local tumor research institute, said that the city has been able to handle some tumor diseases over recent years thanks to funding from the local government which has allowed hospitals to purchase advanced medical treatment apparatus and introduce advanced technologies. But he warned citizens to be aware of symptoms and receive treatment as early as possible.
(Southcn.com April 16, 2002)
