Cancer Detected Early During Routine Health Checkups

The Peking University China Center for Health Economic Research found that about 2 in 1,000 people are diagnosed with cancer during health checks, providing timely and early cancer detection.

The research examined 673,717 people who received health checks at iKang Healthcare Group outlets in Shanghai from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. It examined 23 items with abnormal results in the cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, digestive, and gender-related systems. The incidence of cancer rates in China is 3.4 per 1,000. The majority of cancer patients are diagnosed before symptoms appear. Asymptomatic diagnosis is rare and often accidental.

"So far, 1,481 people have been diagnosed with cancer, with a detection rate of 2.2 per 1,000," said Zhang Ligang, chief executive officer of iKang Healthcare Group. He added that as time passes, more people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer through follow-up examinations. "The detection rate is very meaningful, as people can identify the risk of cancer through routine health checkups for early prevention, detection and treatment."

Thyroid, lung, cervical, breast, and prostate cancers are the most common cancers found during health checkups. Over 45 percent of cancer patients have thyroid cancer, according to the study.

"The youngest person is a 20-year-old man with thyroid cancer, and the oldest person is a 90-year-old man with lung cancer," Zhang said.

Shanghai's cancer rate is 625 per 100,000, with lung, colorectal, and thyroid cancer prevalent. Cancer is the second leading killer in Shanghai.

Early diagnosis is crucial for patients' quality of life and survival. At 61.6 percent five-year survival and 42.8 percent early detection, Shanghai leads the nation.

In health checks, lung nodules, osteopenia/osteoporosis, thyroid nodules, fatty liver, and excessive BMI are the most common concerns.

Weight and obesity are linked to cardiovascular disease and long-term health, according to Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center Dr Zhao Xiaolong.

"The high BMI data detected in health checkups can help people raise awareness and receive timely chronic disease management to prevent serious health events," Zhao added.