Compared with the previous year, the figures were up by 2,033 cases or 8 seconds faster. Factoring in gender, male cancer incidence rates were approximately 1.3 times that of female in 2011, HPA data revealed.
Colorectal cancer remained the most common form of the disease in Taiwan for the sixth consecutive year, adding 14,087 new cases during the survey period, followed by hepatic, lung, breast, oral, prostate, gastric, skin, uterine and cervical cancers, in that order. Lung and breast cancers in particular recorded significant spikes among the top 10, the HPA said.
Age-adjusted statistics showed that most cancers—except for lung, female breast, oral and prostate—reported declines in incidence rates, according to the HPA.
Continuing with the trend from the previous year, standardized hepatic cancer incidence rate saw a further decrease in 2011, reflecting the effect of the ROC government’s longstanding efforts to curb the spread of hepatitis, the HPA added.
Compared with other Asian countries, Taiwan’s diet features relatively high meat and fat consumption, which has contributed to the spread of obesity, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in locals. Along with a lack of physical activity and smoking, these are considered new carcinogens that may have led to the increase in Taiwan’s cancer incidence rates, the HPA said.
According to the World Health Organization, prevention is the most cost-effective long-term control strategy for cancer, with an estimated one-third of all cases considered avoidable, a view echoed by Dr. Chiou Shu-ti, director-general of the HPA.
Taiwan has committed to the cause of preventing cancer by fighting carcinogens. Earlier this year, the MOHW launched the third-phase National Cancer Prevention and Control plan, shifting the focus on combating cancer from early detection and treatment to prevention.
Coupled with a fully subsidized screening program for breast, cervical, colorectal and oral cancers, as recommended by the WHO, the MOHW scheme is expected to help bring down cancer mortality rates in Taiwan. (YHC-JSM)
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