close
close

topicnews · July 18, 2025

The study shows complex patterns of stress and survival in people with digestive system cancer in China

The study shows complex patterns of stress and survival in people with digestive system cancer in China


Digendive System Malignancies (DSMTS)-Number of esophageal, stomach, intestinal, liver and pancreatic cancer are a major challenge for public health in China. A recently carried out national epidemiological study by HU et al.Published in EgastroenterologyAnalyzed trends from 2004 to 2021 and unveiled complex patterns of stress and survival. While progress in reducing mortality was achieved by some types of cancer, the overall effect remains significant, with remarkable differences above demographic and geographical borders be called. Below you will find the most important findings:

Decline in the mortality rate of large DSMTS

The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRS) for esophagus, stomach and liver cancer diseases significantly during the 18-year period: (i) esophageal cancer: ASMR decreased with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of –4.30%; (ii) stomach cancer: ASMR decreased at an AAPC of –4.14%; (iii) liver cancer: ASMR fell with an AAPC of –2.58%. These improvements are attributed to improved guidelines for public health, early screening programs and better control of risk factors such as Helicobacter pylori (prerequisites (Helicobacter pylori ().H. Pylori) and hepatitis -b virus and socio -economic development.

Increasing stress due to colorectal and pancreatic cancer

In contrast, colorectal and pancreatic cancer showed a worrying increase: (i) colon cancer: raw start -up rose with an AAPC of 3.59%; (ii) pancreatic cancer: both raw and age-standardized mortality rose with AAPCs of 5.72% or 2.71%. These increases are partly associated with western diets, increased alcohol consumption, sitting lifestyles and diagnosis in the late stage.

Life expectancy and cause-eliminated life expectancy (Cely) improved

Between 2004 and 2021, the average life expectancy in China rose by 4.4 years. It is important that life expectancy (Cely), if the deaths were hypothetically eliminated by DSMTS, increase by 4.06 years and underline the significant health effects of these cancer. The profits were more pronounced in rural areas and in men, which indicates improvements in health justice, but also emphasizes areas in which further efforts are required.

Gender, geographical and socio -economic differences

Men consistently had a higher premature mortalityPotential years of life lost (pyll) and age -standardized mortality of DSMTS compared to women: (i) total pyll: 16.3 million people for men compared to 5.4 million for women; (II) Average years of life (Ayll): 14.64 years for men compared to 13.52 years for women. These gaps reflect a higher smoker and alcohol consumption and delayed behaviors from the health service life in men.

Land residents carried a disproportionate burden: (i) rural areas accounted for 15.1 million pyll, more than twice as high as in urban areas (6.6 million); (II) Pancreatic Cancer ASMR rose sharply in rural areas (AAPC = 4.62%). Restricted access to high-quality health and later diagnoses contribute to these results.

Cancer load according to region very different: (i) Eastern regions showed a significant reduction in cancer of the esophagus, stomach and liver; (ii) Western regions had higher Ayll values during the improvement, which indicates a later diagnosis and poorer access to treatment; (iii) Pancreatic and intestinal cancer increased more in the west and in the central regions.

Contribute to factors

(I) Screening and early detection: State-managed screening initiatives have improved the early diagnosis since 2005. Targeted programs in areas with high incidence, including the Huaihe River Basin and Anyang, were particularly effective in esophageal cancer. (II) Vaccination and risk factor control: The introduction of hepatitis -B vaccines into the national immunization program in China in 2002 played a key role in reducing liver cancer rates. Other improvements are better food safety, reduced Aflatoxin exposure and widespread distribution H. Pylori Extermination. (III) Verbagration of the lifestyle: When the economic conditions improved, the nutritional patterns changed towards low -fat, low -fiber diets with increased meat consumption. These changes are associated with the increasing incidence of colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Setting lifestyles, obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse make the risk worse, especially in younger population groups. (IV) Diagnostic progress: Advances in imaging technology CTS, MRI and nuclear magnetic resonance have improved the detection of pancreatic cancer, although the late presentation is common.

In summary, it can be said that the mortality of several important digestive cancer has progressed, and the increasing stress due to colorectal and pancreatic cancer, especially in rural and male population groups, signals a shift in Chinese crayfish epidemiology. Future efforts have to concentrate on health authorization, primary prevention and early detection in order to maintain and expand the latest profits in life expectancy. Since China progresses the goals of the “Healthy China 2030” initiative, comprehensive cancer control remains a cornerstone of public health progress.

Source:

First hospital at Jilin University

Journal Reference:

Hut., et al. (2025) Last of the digestive system malignantities and its effects on life expectancy in China, 2004–2021. Egastroenterology. doi.org/10.1136/egastro 2024-100148.