New screening methods of breast and cervical cancers are being put into use in China, saving lives from the two most prevalent and fatal cancers for women.  

Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed breast cancer is now the world's most commonly occurring cancer, overtaking lung cancer. In addition, more than 600,000 cervical cancer cases were recorded in 2020, with 90 percent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. 

In the recently closed China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), an artificial intelligence breast cancer screening machine showcased how technology makes mass screening possible, especially in areas with insufficient medical resources. 

"When we do breast cancer screenings, we normally need a professional ultrasound doctor to make judgments on the lesions. But with the AI breast cancer screening machine, only a junior medical worker is required to complete the scan, and AI can help complete the localization, classification and grading of the lesions," said a person working at an exhibition at CIFTIS.  

Developed by a medical service company in Guangzhou, the AI-powered machine called "Dr. J" can conduct screenings more efficiently without a doctor's presence and has already been put into use in primary medical institutions in China's remote areas. 

Technology centering on cervical cancer testing focused on risk stratification to cut off unnecessary medical tests. At this year's CIFTIS, China National Biotec Group (CNBG) launched "GynTect," which has just obtained China's first certification on methylation detection test for cervical cancer screening. 

"Cervical cancer is mainly caused by HPV infection, and some HPV infections can be recovered by autoimmunity without developing cancer. This product examines lesion risk by detecting the patient's methylation status of six genes in exfoliated cells of the cervix. Only those who are identified as high-risk will be recommended to use a medical endoscope for further inspection. This will reduce the stress for low-risk patients and save medical resources in the meantime," CNBG staff member Ding Detian told CGTN Digital. 

In recent years, China has focused on extending women's access to screening services for cervical and breast cancers. The country's National Health Commission on January 18 issued work plans that such services will be expanded to include females aged from 35 to 64 in both urban and rural areas, and will prioritize those living on subsistence allowances. The services used to be only available to women in rural areas. 

The plans also specified that the coverage of cervical cancer screening services for eligible women will surpass 50 percent by the end of 2025.