Cancer survival statistics in China 2019–2021: a multicenter, population-based study

A milestone goal of the Healthy China Program (2019-2030) is to achieve 5-year cancer survival at 43.3% for all cancers combined by 2022. To assess progress towards this target, we analyzed updated survival for all cancers combined and 25 specific types in China from 2019 to 2021. We conducted standardized data collection and quality control for cancer registries across 32 province-level regions in China. We included 6,410,940 newly diagnosed cancer patients from 281 cancer registries during 2008-2019, with follow-up data on vital status available until December 2021. We estimated age-standardized 5-year relative survival using International Cancer Survival Standard Weights overall, by site, age group and period of diagnosis. We quantified survival changes to assess progress in cancer control. In 2019-2021, the age-standardized 5-year relative survival for all cancers combined was 43.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.6-43.7%). The 5-year relative survival varied by cancer type, ranging from 8.5% (95% CI, 8.2-8.7%) for pancreatic cancer to 92.9% (95% CI, 92.4-93.3%) for thyroid cancer. Eight cancers had 5-year survival of over 60%, including cancers of the thyroid, breast, testis, bladder, prostate, kidney, uterus and cervix. The 5-year relative survival was generally lower in males than in females. From 2008 to 2021, we observed significant survival improvements for cancers of the lung, prostate, bone, uterus, breast, cervix, nasopharynx, larynx, and bladder. The most significant improvement was in lung cancer. Progress in cancer control was evident in China. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to control and prevent cancer.