A political adviser and oncology expert has called for promoting wider awareness about early cancer screenings on the sidelines of the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Wang Guiqi, head of the endoscope department at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that the development of tumors is in fact a long process.

For instance, it usually takes five to 10 years for a tumor that occurs in the esophagus, stomach or colon to start triggering visible symptoms.

"A comforting fact is that China's early screening and detection technologies have reached a world-leading level," he said. "I suggest that people who are identified as high-risk groups began undergoing early screenings once they reach age 50, regardless of whether one shows relevant symptoms."

Wang added that an early cancer screening campaign in rural areas that started more than a decade ago has accelerated in recent years.

The campaign has now covered 31 provincial-level regions across China. Nearly 216,000 cancer patients and about 96,000 people with precancerous legions have been identified via the program.