[Challenges and coping strategies of cancer screening research and practice in China: Taking esophageal cancer as an example].

For most cancers, clear intervention targets for primary prevention are lacking, due to unidentified high-risk causal factors. Consequently, the focus of cancer prevention and control in China has shifted towards early screening and treatment within the general population. This review outlines the significant challenges in research and practice of cancer prevention and control in China, including: ①inadequate understanding of the natural history of cancer; ② limited high-level evidence supporting cancer screening effectiveness and value; ③compromised efficiency and accuracy in current screening modality; and ④ insufficient universality and sustainability of the current screening practices, taking esophageal cancer as an example. To address these challenges, we propose potential coping strategies: ① establishing tailored technologies and pathways for cancer prevention and control based on population-based and clinical epidemiological studies using high-quality designs; ②breaking conventional constraints to establish a novel, efficient, and precision cancer screening strategy and modality that aligned with the frontline needs of cancer prevention and control; and ③establishing enhanced communication platforms among government policymaking departments, scientific research teams, and industrial institutions to foster collaboration and translation in the field of cancer prevention and control. Ultimately, through the collaboration of multiple disciplines and departments, we will jointly achieve the long-term goal of cancer prevention and treatment.