2019-04-15
The 25th National Week for Tumor Prevention and Treatment, together with the National Anti-Cancer Day, was launched in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province on April 15, 2019.
Representatives attending the 25th National Week for Tumor Prevention and Treatment pose for a group photo on April 15, 2019.
Themed "Together We Stand and Win the Fight Against Cancer," this year’s event was sponsored by the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), and organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital and the Shaanxi Anti-Cancer Association.
Chen Qiang, vice chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Fan Daiming, president of CACA, Bai Xi, director general of the Department of Science Popularization of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and Sun Ke, executive vice president of the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology, attended the launch ceremony. They were also joined by some 800 medical workers, visitors from all walks of life and representatives of media outlets.
Wang Ying, secretary general of CACA, hosted the ceremony.
In his speech, Chen noted that prevention is more important than treatment for malignant tumors. To have a healthy population, it is necessary to raise the awareness of the whole society on tumor prevention and treatment, carry out national health education and promote healthy lifestyles, he said.
Fan noted that cancer is a severe threat to human health that concerns both the general public and the government and that the government has put cancer research into its Healthy China Initiative. According to Fan, CACA would launch a variety of activities during the week-long event to address topics concerning the public most on tumor prevention and treatment.
Bai highlighted the role of the national week in giving the public a correct understanding of cancer, clearing up misunderstandings about the disease, and promoting healthy lifestyles. He applauded the event as a helpful attempt of China to make health knowledge accessible to the public.
A series of activities were held after the launch ceremony.
At a press conference about the event, renowned experts were invited to answer questions about China’s cancer prevention and treatment plans, clinical progress and methods to avoid common cancers, including Fan Daiming, Zhi Xiuyi, director of the Center for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment of Capital Medical University, Nie Yongzhan, deputy director of the Gastroenterology Department of the First Hospital Affiliated to Air Force Medical University, Song Zhangjun, head of the Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Li Shuye, president of the Shaanxi Anti-Cancer Association, and Chen Xiaobing, deputy director of the Internal Medicine Department of the Henan Provincial Cancer Hospital.
CACA also presented copies of its book on anti-cancer stories in China to patients attending the ceremony. In addition, it released seven valuable anti-cancer suggestions from anti-cancer experts.
Experts of oncology, nutrition, psychology and nursing also offered free one-on-one medical services to over 300 patients on the spot.
As another highlight of the activities, Zhi Xiuyi, Nie Yongzhan, Chen Xiaobing and Li Donghong gave public lectures on lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, gynecologic cancer, and healthy lifestyles respectively.
Altogether 763 institutions, including hospitals, associations, research centers and universities, and over 218,000 medical workers would participate in the National Week this year. 2,560 activities have been planned. CACA hoped that the event would lead more people to learn about the essentials of cancer, to prevent cancer correctly, to give up bad habits and live a healthy lifestyle, all necessary to prevent cancer effectively.
Some 70 media outlets, such as CCTV.com, Guangming Daily Online, People.cn, Life Times and Health News, covered the event this year.