The incidence of pancreatic cancer is climbing in China, especially in big cities. Shanghai has the highest incidence rate in the country, with 15 in every 100,000 people affected, double the national level and close to that in the United States.

“Unhealthy diet, a lack of exercises, stress, smoking and alcohol are all risk factors,” said Yu Xianjun, director of pancreatic surgery at Shanghai Cancer Center.

The center conducts nearly 1,000 pancreas procedures each year.

“The average survival time after surgery has been extended by nearly 40 percent in our hospital,” Yu said. “The average in the city is 17.8 months, but is 24.6 months here, higher even than the 22-month expectancy in the United States. We are confident that we will be able to extend the time to three years.” Surgical techniques developed by local doctors have received international recognition and are used nationwide.

Yu Xianjun, director of pancreatic surgery at Shanghai Cancer Center, explains a procedure to colleagues.