China has released its first-ever book of cancer patient stories to spread knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment.

The book entitled Say 'No' to Cancer, Stories of One Hundred Cancer Patients tells the stories of how cancer patients from 16 different areas coped with cancer.

With the youngest patient aged 17 and the oldest 89, the book's message is that cancer can be both prevented and successfully treated.

Vice health minister Wang Longde said, "We have to encourage people to adopt a healthy life style to prevent cancer."

"If the patient and their relatives are able to adopt a positive attitude, that is vitally important in combating cancer."

The book compiled by the disease control department of the Chinese Ministry of Health is one element in China's long-term program to publicize health care knowledge, said Qi Xiaoqiu, director of the disease control department.

The program selects a special theme each year, said Qi. High blood pressure was the focus for 2005 and in 2006 it was cancer.

Activities to spread knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment began in August 2006 and have continued until this month, said Qi.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2007)