GIVING LECTURE: Sun Yan, academician of China Engineering Academy, gives a lecture on fighting against cancer at the Beijing-based Cancer Institute and Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on April 23 (CHEN RAN)

Too much stress and chronic fatigue can hurt the immune system, increasing the risk of cancer, suggests a senior cancer specialist in Beijing.

Sun Yan, academician of China Engineering Academy, made the remarks at the Beijing-based Cancer Institute and Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on April 23, on the occasion of the 12th national Cancer Awareness Week for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer.

"For decades, the biggest misunderstanding shared among ordinary people is that cancer is untreatable," Sun noted. "The proper way that we always educate the public in fighting against cancer is early screening, early diagnosis, and early treatment."

According to Sun, leading a healthy life is the best way to lower one's risk of cancer. That includes avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking and staying up late, getting a yearly physical examination, and keeping fit.

During the Cancer Awareness Week, leading cancer institutes and hospitals provided free checkups and screening for early detection of cancer as well as health seminars to educate the public on how to prevent cancer. The event attracted around 4,000 participants.

According to statistics from the National Center for Cancer Registries, the cancer death rate has increased by 1 percent every year from 1998 to 2007. Doctors diagnose 3 million new cases of cancer every year.