Health Talk: Growing female lung cancer cases need public awareness

China sees a growing number of female lung cancer cases in recent years, said a leading medical expert.

"In the past, smoking was uncommon among Chinese women. In recent years, however, women have begun to view smoking as a fashion statement," said Dr Qiao Youlin, deputy secretary general of the Cancer Foundation of China (CFC).

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the CFC, which focuses on lung cancer awareness and treatment advances. November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an initiative launched by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition in 2001.

He also noted that early screening and tobacco control are two major measures to prevent lung cancer at an early stage.

(Cover designed by Li Wenyi)