Abstract:
Malignant tumors (commonly referred to as cancers) represent a major global public health challenge and contribute substantially to the global disease burden. Early screening plays a crucial role in improving detection rates, enabling timely intervention, and enhancing patient survival. However, current cancer screening guidelines primarily focus on site-specific screening, which may not fully address the need for comprehensive early detection. A scientifically rational, multi-cancer screening approach offers several advantages: it optimizes the use of biological samples, reduces the time burden for participants, enhances the efficiency and comprehensiveness of screening, and minimizes overall expenses. Moreover, this approach facilitates rational allocation of healthcare resources, ultimately helping to reduce the societal burden of cancer. To address gap, the Cancer Epidemiology Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association has developed the Expert Consensus on Combined Screening for Common Cancers. This consensus integrates multidisciplinary expertise and synthesizes the latest domestic and international researches on cancer screening, early detection, and treatment of prevalent malignancies. Drawing upon China’s unique demographic and healthcare context and practical screening experiences, the consensus provides evidence-based recommendations on target populations, screening technologies, and procedural workflows for multi-cancer screening. These guidelines align with the principles and methodologies established by the World Health Organization (WHO), aiming to enhance the effectiveness of combined cancer screening in China, improve early detection rates, and provide a scientific foundation for national cancer prevention and control strategies.