Analysis of the Potential Years of Life Lost of Chinese Residents with Malignant Tumors in 2021

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aims to systematically assess the nationwide disease burden of malignant tumors in 2021, clarify mortality inequalities across demographic and regional groups, identify socioeconomic determinants, and provide evidence-based support for the “Healthy China 2030” cancer control strategy. Methods: Data were obtained from China’s 2021 cause-of-death surveillance system. Core indicators (crude mortality rate, age-standardized mortality rate, Potential Years of Life Lost) were calculated, with economic burden estimated by GDP loss. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel 2021 and SPSS 26.0, including chi-square tests and subgroup analyses by age, gender, and region. Results: The mortality rate of malignant tumors in China’s cause-of-death surveillance system in 2021 was 164.20/100,000 and the standardized mortality rate (2020 population data) was 156.7/100,000. The top five mortality rates are for lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. The top five malignant tumor disease burdens for China’s population are lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. The total potential years of life lost due to cancer deaths for China’s population in 2021 is 4,575,932 person-years, resulting in a loss of 370.54 billion yuan in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the whole society. Conclusion: To align with “Healthy China 2030”, targeted interventions — including expanded early screening, standardized medical insurance reimbursement, and enhanced healthcare resource allocation—are essential to reduce inequalities and alleviate the cancer burden. In China, the cancer burden has worsened amid rapid