Cancer hospital patient visit numbers in China 2010-2021

In 2021, cancer hospitals in China received more than 26 million patient visits, representing an increase of more than four million from the previous year. This number increased continuously before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with treatment visit figures tripled in 2019 compared to 2010.

A common disease and a major cause of death

Cancer has become a widespread and chronic disease worldwide, with this trend particularly evident in China. As Chinese citizens live longer, the incidence rate of cancer has been on the rise continuously. Owing to the challenging nature of treating the disease, cancer has also become one of the major causes of death in the country. These factors have led to an ever-expanding demand for specialized oncology treatments, resulting in cancer hospitals operating at full capacity throughout the year.

Improvement in treatments

Thanks to the expanded range of treatments covered by China's medical insurance system in recent years and the relatively inexpensive cost of medical services in China, the expense of treating cancer remains affordable for most in the country. Access and quality of cancer treatments available to patients have meanwhile improved significantly, with new therapies being introduced every year and equipment in general hospitals and specialized oncology hospitals being continuously upgraded. Several Chinese pharmaceutical companies, such as Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, are increasingly focusing their research and development efforts on cancer drugs, investing substantial resources in innovative treatment procedures every year.