Are there effective cancer treatments in China?

In the spring of 2024, as I sat in the waiting area of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital holding my diagnosis from an American cancer hospital—stage IV lung adenocarcinoma with an EGFR 19-exon deletion mutation—my attending physician delivered the truth: “The standard treatment is Osimertinib, but it costs around $18,000 per month. Once resistance develops, you may face a situation with no available treatment options.” At 47, a father of two with limited insurance coverage, I clung to a sliver of hope. Through an international medical referral platform, I connected with a top-tier cancer hospital in Shanghai. Three months later, in a ward at Ruijin Hospital, I watched as a nurse handed me a domestically produced third-generation targeted therapy, priced at just one-fifth of the original drug, with my monthly out-of-pocket cost under 3,000 RMB. What surprised me even more was that my treatment team included not only oncologists but also specialists in traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition. This unexpected journey through China's cancer care system completely transformed my perception of “cancer treatment in China.”

I. The Confidence of “Keeping Pace with the World”: China's Hard Power in Cancer Treatment

Upon arriving in China for the first time, my greatest concern was whether the treatment would be outdated. But reality stunned me: Shanghai's cancer hospital used the same gene testing equipment as MD Anderson Cancer Center. Under the multidisciplinary team (MDT) system, surgeons, internists, and radiation oncologists gathered to discuss my case—even more efficiently than my American team. My attending physician explained, “China has fully adopted international cancer treatment guidelines. For targeted therapies like EGFR-mutated lung cancer or PD-1 inhibitor applications, our protocols are nearly identical to global standards.”

The data speaks for itself: According to the 2023 China Cancer Survival Report, China's five-year cancer survival rate has increased from 30.9% in 2003-2005 to 40.5% in 2016-2019, approaching levels comparable to those in developed countries. For common cancers like lung and breast cancer, five-year survival rates in some regions now exceed those in the United States. More crucially, China has become a global “accelerator” for innovative drug development—in 2023, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved the second-highest number of new cancer drugs worldwide, with 32% being “first-in-class” or “best-in-class” medications. The domestically produced third-generation EGFR inhibitor I took was independently developed by a Chinese company, completing the journey from clinical trials to approval in just two years—nearly half the time taken by comparable U.S. drugs.

II. The Wisdom of Integrating Traditional and Western Medicine: Not Just “Replacement,” But “Complementarity”

In the U.S., my understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was limited to vague notions of “acupuncture and herbal remedies.” In China, however, TCM is explicitly integrated into comprehensive cancer treatment systems. My TCM consultant physician did not promise to “cure cancer,” but instead prescribed personalized herbal formulas targeting post-chemotherapy symptoms like nausea and fatigue. Within two weeks, the rash caused by targeted therapy significantly subsided, and my sleep quality markedly improved. My attending physician explained, “TCM's value lies in regulating bodily functions and mitigating chemotherapy/radiotherapy side effects, which is crucial for enhancing treatment adherence.”

This “Western medicine as primary treatment, TCM as adjunct” model is far from isolated. At leading institutions like Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Guangzhou Zhongshan Cancer Hospital, TCM departments have long been established as integral units within oncology centers. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine revealed that advanced cancer patients receiving integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment scored 27% higher on quality-of-life assessments than those treated with Western medicine alone. The rate of treatment discontinuation due to side effects decreased by 19%. For many patients, this may be more realistic and valuable than a “cure.”

III. China's Solution Behind “Accessibility”: Making “Sky-High Drugs” No Longer Out of Reach

What moved me most was the “universal accessibility” of cancer treatment in China. In the U.S., I once despaired over being unable to afford the out-of-pocket costs for Osimertinib (insurance covered only 70%), but in China, through national medical insurance negotiations, the annual treatment cost for third-generation EGFR inhibitors has plummeted from 500,000 yuan to under 50,000 yuan. Eligible patients can also apply for secondary reimbursement through “major illness insurance.” My primary nurse remarked, “Now, many patients' first reaction upon diagnosis isn't ‘I can't afford treatment,’ but ‘Let's get genetic testing done—there are effective drugs available.’”

This “patient-centered” policy logic permeates the entire cancer treatment chain. In 2023, China reduced prices for 74 anticancer drugs by an average of 62%, including 17 domestically innovated medications. Tumor departments now cover 92% of county-level hospitals nationwide, with primary care facilities capable of delivering chemotherapy and targeted therapies—significantly easing the burden of seeking treatment in major cities. As the World Health Organization (WHO) report states: “China's breakthroughs in cancer accessibility offer a replicable model for developing countries.”

IV. Challenges and Hope: China's Ongoing Cancer Treatment Journey

Of course, China's cancer treatment system is not without flaws. In remote areas, uneven distribution of medical resources persists; access to targeted therapies for certain rare cancers remains limited; and the scientific validation of traditional Chinese medicine continues to be explored. What impresses me most, however, is China's remarkable pace in addressing these gaps. In 2024, the “National Cancer Center Regional Medical Centers” initiative launched, aiming to extend high-quality resources to 20 provinces within three years. The “Cancer Early Screening” public welfare project now covers 80% of counties and districts, with early diagnosis rates for high-incidence cancers like lung and colorectal cancer exceeding 40%.

Before I left China, my attending physician shared this insight: “There is no ‘best method’ in cancer treatment, only the ‘most suitable approach.’ China's strength lies in possessing both internationally advanced technologies and innovative models tailored to our national context; we focus not only on ‘extending life’ but also on ‘enhancing quality of life.’” These words perhaps capture the essence of cancer treatment in China.

Now back in the United States, I still consult regularly with my Shanghai medical team via video calls. They monitor not only my tumor markers but also inquire about the effects of my Chinese herbal therapy, even guiding me on how to procure and combine herbs at local Chinese medicine pharmacies. This trans-Pacific cancer journey has taught me: the “best cancer treatment” isn't necessarily the most expensive or cutting-edge, but one that ensures every patient has access to effective, affordable, and reliable care. In China, I witnessed this possibility.

(Note: Patient names are pseudonyms; treatment details are shared with the patient's authorization.)

Document dated 2025-10-28 10:34 Modify