Hunan Cancer Hospital popularizes cancer prevention in Xinning

Located in the southwest border of Hunan Province, Xinning County had beautiful scenery with the World Natural Heritage--Langshan. On behalf of Hunan Cancer Hospital affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, a delegation of more than 30 medical professionals came to People's Hospital of Xinning to popularize cancer prevention knowledge.

This was the second time for the specialists of the hospital to conduct free clinic consulting there. At the same time, the 9th Standardized Tumor Training of Hunan province was held here, led by HUANG Gang, the Vice President of the hospital. The Party Secretary of the hospital, Mr. ZHOU Xiao attended the training program and delivered a speech. 

According to specialists in People's Hospital of Xinning, the top 3 incidence of cancer in Xinning area are the lung cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer. The Deputy Director of Thoracic Surgery Department Mr. ZOU Qiu-yi was busy seeing patients the whole morning. He said, "it is much busier here than in the clinic in usual time". 

ZOU said  lung cancer always ranked the first not only in Xinning, but also in Hunan, and perhaps in China. Lots of medical data suggest that the lung cancer is very likely to be linked with smoking, air pollution, long-term exposure to radioactive substances, and family history. Although the specific etiology of lung cancer remains unclear, gastric cancer ranking among the top 3 might be one feature of Xinning. Mildew may form due to many mountains and hills with humid climate. The needy mountain residents are reluctant to throw away the mildewed food and they are fond of smoked bacon and rice wine, which may contribute to the high incidence of gastric cancer. ZOU suggests that people in Xinning take regular medical examinations to prevent gastric cancer and abandon the mildewed food.

He said that the key difference in health level between the urban and rural residents lied in villagers' lack of scientific knowledge. After getting ill, people in the rural area with limited economic condition tend to have blind faith in secret remedies and folk recipes, most of which had little effect, thus missing the best treatment timing. Some elderly rural patients in particular thought it is not worth spending money. Except for the free clinic consulting, the most important purpose is to popularize basic scientific knowledge of cancer prevention, so as to improve cancer treatment, promote standardized cancer treatment, and benefit more people.