The incidence of cancer and death from cancer among Chinese women is rising steadily, according to sources with the Shanghai Disease Prevention and Control Center Friday.

The number of female cancer patients in the Shanghai urban area has almost doubled in 20 years and more younger women are contracting the disease, the center reports.

The latest figure shows that one woman out of every 100 in Shanghai is a cancer patient and that women account for 56 percent of the city's total cancer patients.

Breast cancer, the most common malign tumor for women, accounts for 30 percent of female cases. Cervical and ovary cancers are also common.

Experts said the causes of female cancers include poor diets, a lack of physical exercise, obesity and smoking.

A survey of 13,000 women in Shanghai showed that only 47 percent have had a physical check-up in the last five years; 27 percent have an irregular diet; 23 percent are overweight and 29 percent never take exercise.

Experts suggest the key to combating cancer is to lead a healthy lifestyle and to pay more attention to health.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2007)