Cancer Patients Flock to China’s Hainan for Experimental Drug Trials
On the sun-soaked southern tip of China, a new kind of medical tourism is quietly unfolding. It’s not about cosmetic surgery or wellness spas but about survival.
London, February 17, 2025 – A new analysis by Cancer Research UK has revealed stark inequalities in cancer mortality across the country, with death rates in the most deprived areas nearly 1.6 times higher than in wealthier regions.
The study found that for all cancers combined, mortality in the poorest areas stands at 337 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 217 deaths per 100,000 in the most affluent areas.
The report estimates that an additional 28,400 cancer deaths annually -equivalent to 78 extra deaths every day - are linked to deprivation. Lung cancer emerged as the leading contributor, with mortality rates nearly three times higher in deprived communities. Cancer Research UK attributes much of the disparity to higher smoking rates in these areas, where smoking prevalence is at least three times that of the wealthiest communities.
In addition to differences in cancer incidence and outcomes, the study highlights significant disparities in access to care. Patients in the most deprived areas of England are up to a third more likely to wait over 104 days for treatment after an urgent referral. They are also 50% more likely to be diagnosed after presenting symptoms as an emergency, rather than through earlier detection methods.
Dr. Ian Walker, executive director of policy and information at Cancer Research UK, described the findings as "shocking and unacceptable." He stressed, “No one should be at a greater risk of dying from this devastating disease simply because of where they live. These figures are shocking and unacceptable – but crucially, they’re avoidable.”
Cancer Research UK has called on the UK government to take urgent action to address these health inequalities by investing in prevention, early diagnosis, and timely access to treatment, particularly in the most deprived areas.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
The world is facing a health financing emergency as global health investment risks falling to its lowest level in a decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned.
China has successfully mastered the technology to produce Yttrium-90, a critical medical isotope used in radiation therapy for liver cancer, within a commercial nuclear reactor.
German biotech firm BioNTech (22UAy.DE), has agreed to acquire domestic peer CureVac, for about $1.25 billion worth of BioNTech shares, it said on Thursday, to boost its work on new mRNA-based cancer treatments.
Revolutionizing Heart Care: How Artificial Intelligence Powered Digital Twins Are Shaping the Future of Medicine
Researchers at the University of Miami have discovered 230 new giant viruses in global ocean waters, shedding light on their hidden role in marine ecosystems and their potential impact on public health.
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