Issues

China has made major strides in studying the epidemiology and etiology of the traditionally prevalent cancers since 1970s. As illustrated on the cover image, there are noted high-incidence areas of major cancers such as those of stomach, liver, esophagus, lung, cervix and nasopharynx in China. Research in these areas have made important contributions to the prevention of these cancers, and the age-standardized incidence rates of most of these cancers have decreased. However, with the dramatic lifestyle and environmental changes in the past 30 years associated with rapid economic development, China is facing a serious challenge from both the still-prevalent traditional cancers and new emerging cancers, especially those of the lung, colon and breast. In 2012, there were 3.07 million new cancer cases and 2.21 million cancer deaths in China, and the numbers are expected to increase to 5 and 3.86 million, respectively, by 2030. Much more research and practical measures are needed for the prevention of cancer. For more information about the past achievements and present needs in cancer prevention research in China, see the article by S. Yu and C.S. Yang et al. (beginning on page 662).