Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

China Warns Of Cancer Epidemic

A Chinese man wears a mask as he waits with others at a bus stop on a smoggy day on March 26, 2014 in Beijing, China. Air pollution can contribute to illnesses including lung cancer. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A Chinese man wears a mask as he waits with others at a bus stop on a smoggy day on March 26, 2014 in Beijing, China. Air pollution can contribute to illnesses including lung cancer. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Cancer rates may be falling in many Western countries, but they are rising steadily in China. The country’s top health officials have issued a strong warning about the spread of cancer.

All types of the disease are, it seems, becoming increasingly common. Blame the effects of pollution and unhealthy habits.

The BBC’s Celia Hatton traveled to the coastal city of Tianjin to see how Asia’s largest cancer treatment center is handling the onslaught.


Note: This BBC interview can be heard in the Here & Now podcast or with the WBUR app.

Reporter

  • Celia Hatton, BBC News correspondent based in Beijing since 2001. She tweets @celiahatton.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.