Hong Kong recorded 37,953 new cancer cases in 2023, marking a seven percent year-on-year increase, according to latest figures from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of Hospital Authority (HA).
Among the new cases, lung cancer remained the most common, with 6,111 cases reported, accounting for around 16 percent of the total.
Speaking on a radio program on Wednesday, Anna Tai Yin-ping, a member of the Cancer Education Subcommittee of Hong Kong Anti-cancer Society, noted that the increase is expected and no trend of early cancer occurrence has been observed.
Tai said that the percentage increase of new cases aligned with previous years, mainly reflecting an aging and growing population.
Although new cancer diagnoses fluctuated from 2020 to 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said the numbers in 2023 had returned to pre-pandemic levels, indicating a stable increase.
Tai explained that cancer occurrence is closely related to aging, as the probability of cell mutation increases with age. Additionally, the expanding population base naturally led to a rise in cancer cases.
Environmental factors, changes in lifestyle habits and the heightened public health awareness have all contributed to more early-stage cancers being detected through preventive screenings, which also explains the growing diagnosis numbers, she added.
Anna Tai Yin-ping, a member of the Cancer Education Subcommittee of Hong Kong Anti-cancer Society
Meanwhile, the figures showed that breast cancer rose to become the second most common cancer, overtaking colorectal cancer for two years in a row.
The number of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases in women increased by 7.8 percent to 5,585 in 2023.
Women have surpassed men in new cancer diagnoses since 2020. Over the past decade, the age-standardized incidence rate of all cancers slightly decreased for males but showed an increasing trend for females.
Tai explained that this trend is related to the continuous increase in breast cancer diagnoses.
As the breast is an external organ, abnormalities are easier to detect compared to the internal organ cancers more common in males, such as lung and colorectal cancer, which require further examination for diagnosis, she said.
She further pointed out that women are generally more health-conscious and actively participate in preventive screenings, which aids in the early detection of abnormalities.
The causes of breast cancer, besides personal or family medical history and age, are closely linked to lifestyle factors, including late marriage, delayed childbirth, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and stress, all of which may increase the risk.
A Westernized diet that may include higher levels of animal fats consumption could also affect hormonal balance, she said.
Furthermore, about 4,500 early-onset cancer cases (aged 25 to 49) were reported in 2023, accounting for 12 percent of all cancers.
Tai indicated that early-onset cancers mainly refer to patients under the age of 50, primarily breast and thyroid cancers, with their growth rate being similar to that of the over-50 age group.
The median age at diagnosis has remained stable at age 65 to 67, and the figures do not indicate a trend of early occurrence of cancer.
Tai recommended three approaches to cancer prevention. First, improving lifestyle habits by avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.
Second, getting vaccinated can help prevent cancers such as cervical and liver cancer.
Lastly, undergoing regular screenings, including colorectal cancer screenings and cervical pap smear examinations, is crucial for early detection and effective treatment, she said.
10 most common cancers in Hong Kong in 2023 (Source: Hospital Authority Website)
