Childhood cancer rates on the rise
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Health experts have warned the public that pollution and environmental deterioration are behind rising cancer rates among Chinese children aged under 14.
The Chinese mainland now has more than 32,000 children aged under 14 suffering cancer of various kinds, which translates into a prevalence of 104 in 1 million, Zhang Guangchao, general secretary of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and an expert in childhood cancer, said on Thursday.
"Notably, the fatal disease, long considered a problem in senior years, is striking more and more children. Major risk factors include pollution and unhealthy lifestyles," Zhang told China Daily at an awareness-raising event held on Thursday by sohu.com, one of the biggest online news portals in China.
The most common kinds of cancer among children are leukemia, lymphoma and brain cancer, he said.
The incidence of bone cancer is higher among teenagers than younger children, he added.
"Personally, I've seen more cases of children developing leukemia after home decoration," he said.
"Long-term exposure to harmful chemicals from decoration materials would substantially raise the cancer risks, particularly for children," he said.
Similarly, parents' occupations are also related, studies have found.
People such as drivers and painters are more likely to be exposed to lead and this means their children face higher risks of cancer, experts said.
