Hong Kong has achieved a more than 40 percent reduction in its cancer mortality rate over the past three decades, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced at the World Cancer Congress currently taking place in the city. This marks the first time the event, organized by the Union for International Cancer Control and hosted locally by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society, is held in Hong Kong.
Drawing on data from 1993 to 2023, Lo highlighted that the age-standardised cancer death rate in Hong Kong has dropped by over 40 percent. In the past decade alone, the annual decline in mortality was 2.8 percent among men and 1.7 percent among women. He attributed this progress to comprehensive government policy support, strategic planning, coordination, and investment in healthcare.
Particular advances cited by Lo include efforts to control liver cancer, which ranks as the city’s third-leading cause of cancer deaths. Initiatives such as antenatal hepatitis B screening, newborn vaccination programs, and antiviral treatments have contributed to an 8.2 percent decrease in new liver cancer cases over the last ten years, alongside a 7.6 percent reduction in deaths from the disease. Lo emphasized that further improvements would be driven by sustained, evidence-based cancer control strategies supported by biotechnology and policy innovation.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reaffirmed these points in a prerecorded address to the congress, noting that Hong Kong’s approach aligns with global efforts to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases. He outlined the city’s recent unveiling of its first five-year plan, which complements China’s national “Healthy China” initiative. Lee emphasized continued efforts to attract leading pharmaceutical firms and top medical professionals, while enhancing international collaboration in public health and cancer prevention. “That is the Hong Kong we are building – an international hub for health and medical innovation,” he said.
The three-day congress has brought together nearly 2,000 delegates from over 124 countries, including prominent health figures such as Dr He Jie, director of China’s National Cancer Centre. Dr He called for greater international cooperation to tackle cancer, describing the disease as a major global public health challenge. In a prerecorded message, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also addressed the gathering.
Dr He presented statistics indicating that mainland China is expected to diagnose approximately 5.15 million new cancer cases in 2024, accounting for roughly one-quarter of global new cancer diagnoses. He stressed that no country or institution can address this health crisis alone, advocating for solidarity, collaboration, and shared innovation as critical tools in the global fight against cancer.
The World Cancer Congress, held biennially, serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering partnerships in cancer control efforts worldwide. Hong Kong’s hosting this year underscores the city’s ambition to play a leading role in advancing medical research and healthcare innovation.