Cancer Survival Trends in Southeastern China, 2011–2021: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Purpose

The 5-year cancer survival rate among Chinese patients is lower than that among patients in developed countries and varies widely across geographic regions. The aim of this study was to analyse the 5-year relative cancer survival rate in southeastern China, between 2011 and 2021.

Patients and Methods

We utilised population-based statistics from 12 cancer registries in Fujian, China. Study population data were up to date as of Dec 31, 2019, and survival outcome status was updated as of Dec 31, 2021. We used the ICD-10 and the ICD-O-3 to categorize all cancer cases. We analysed the 5-year relative survival for cancers combined and different cancer types stratified by sex, urban and rural areas, and age. Survival estimates were stratified according to calendar period (2011–13, 2014–15, 2016–18 and 2019–21).

Results

Ultimately, a total of 160,294 cancer patients were enrolled in the study. In 2011–13, 2014–15, 2016–18 and 2019–21, the age-standardised 5-year relative survival for cancers combined were 29.1% (95% CI: 28.6–29.7), 31.5% (95% CI: 31.0–32.0), 36.8% (95% CI: 36.4–37.3) and 39.1% (95% CI: 38.7–39.6), respectively. The age-standardised 5-year relative survival for lung, prostate, larynx, colon-rectum, kidney and bone cancers increased 4.3%, 4.0%, 3.8%, 3.4%, 3.4% and 2.70%, respectively. Cancers with high 5-year relative survival rates (>60%) in 2019–21 included thyroid, testis, breast, bladder, cervix, prostate and uterus cancers. The 5-year survival rates in 2019–2021 was higher for females than for males (47.8% vs 32.0%) and higher in urban areas than in rural areas (41.7% vs 37.1%). Relative survival rates decreased with increasing age.

Conclusion

The 5-year cancer survival in Fujian Province increased between 2011 and 2021 but remained at a low level. Building a strong primary public health system may be a key step in reducing the cancer burden in Fujian Province.

Keywords:

• relative survival
• cancer
• population-based study
• cancer registry

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are contained within the Fujian Cancer Prevention and Control Office, but are not publicly available due to confidentiality, security and ownership matters. They may be available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Fujian Cancer Hospital (No. 2017-047-01). The need of informed consent was waived by Research Ethics Review Committee of Fujian Cancer Hospital due to retrospective and anonymous study design. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the staff of the Fujian Cancer Registries whose endless efforts to collect accurate and complete data have made this report possible.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.