Cancer screening in China: a steep road from evidence to implementation

Changfa Xia, Partha Basu, Barnett S. Kramer, He Li, Chunfeng Qu, Xue Qin Yu, Karen Canfell, Youlin Qiao, Bruce K. Armstrong, Wanqing Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cancer screening has the potential to decrease mortality from several common cancer types. The first cancer screening programme in China was initiated in 1958 and the Cancer High Incidence Fields established in the 1970s have provided an extensive source of information for national cancer screening programmes. From 2012 onwards, four ongoing national cancer screening programmes have targeted eight cancer types: cervical, breast, colorectal, lung, oesophageal, stomach, liver, and nasopharyngeal cancers. By synthesising evidence from pilot screening programmes and population-based studies for various screening tests, China has developed a series of cancer screening guidelines. Nevertheless, challenges remain for the implementation of a fully successful population-based programme. The aim of this Review is to highlight the key milestones and the current status of cancer screening in China, describe what has been achieved to date, and identify the barriers in transitioning from evidence to implementation. We also make a set of implementation recommendations on the basis of the Chinese experience, which might be useful in the establishment of cancer screening programmes in other countries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e996-e1005
Number of pages10
JournalThe Lancet Public Health
Volume8
Issue number12
Early online date21 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

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