Society

Digestive system check-up suggested to combat cancer

By Shan Juan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-10 18:33

Health experts stressed recently that the medical check-up without symptoms is the key of early detection of digestive system cancer. They made the notes during the media health day & experiencing camp in hospital, a health-related activity co-sponsored by Beijing Friendship Hospital, Life Times, Sohu Health and Novartis China.

Professor Zhang Shutian, vice director of Beijing Friendship Hospital said that the present incidence of digestive system diseases is rather high due to heave work pressure and irregular life and eating habits. Without timely treatment, the chronic digestive diseases like gastritis, enteritis and hepatitis are possibly to cause cancer.

Zhang suggested people who have reached 45 years old should take a check-up on their alimentary canals even there are no symptoms. "The digestive system tumors don't have any symptoms in the early period. When the cancer symptoms appear, the best time for treatment has been missed," he added.

Along with the high incidence of cancer in China, more campaigns are holding to combat the disease. The hope road of combating cancer 2011, a project sponsored by Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and Roche China was launched in the end of April to promote the screening and early diagnosis of cancer. The project will provide free cancer-related consultation and training in near 20 cities this year.