A 1996 cancer report released by the Department of Health yesterday showed that on average 117 cancer cases are reported each day, and every thirteen minutes a new patient is diagnosed with cancer.
The report said among the 179 registered hospitals, the total number of cancer patients in 1996 was 42,886, a higher figure than for 1995.
Cancers with the highest incidence were hypatoma, colon and rectum cancer, and lung cancer respectively. These three types account for 36.7 percent of the total incidence. Male's are 1.145 times more likely to contract cancer than female's, the report said.
Patients suffering from cancer are less afraid of seeking medical advice because health knowledge is now much more prevalent in Taiwan, the report said.
Hypatoma, lung cancer, colon and rectum cancer and mastocarcinoma are all closely connected with people's eating and drinking habits, according to the Department of Health. For example, high fat diets tend to cause mastocarcinoma and rectum cancer; grilled and smoked foods are related to esophagus and gastric cancer; nicotine and beetle nuts may result in lung cancer and mouth cancer.
To prevent cancer, therefore, the officials suggest people maintain a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat. They advised that people avoid consuming beetle nuts, cigarettes and alcohol.
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