Focus on cancer prevention

Cancer morbidity in Shanghai has risen 141 percent in the past four decades, according to the latest data released by local health authorities. 

But the rate of deaths among cancer patients dropped by 42 percent in this period due to better screening, registration and monitoring.

This week is the city's Cancer Prevention and Treatment Week with various events promoting cancer prevention. 

An opening ceremony was held on Sunday in Changning District which included a walking race.

Data shows that almost 30 percent of local adults do not engage in physical activities and more than 30 percent are overweight. Nearly 10 percent suffer obesity.

Research shows that 40 percent of the causes of cancer in China are bad habits such as lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking and drinking.

Residents who want to know more about cancer and related activities can find information on the WeChat accounts of the local heath commission and center for disease control and prevention.

By 2015, cancer was the second major cause of death in Shanghai. 

More than 70,000 people in Shanghai were diagnosed with cancer and nearly 40,000 died as a result in 2015.