Colorectal cancer has been rising fast in China in recent years as more Chinese adopt Western diets, which are high in fat and protein, senior oncologists warn.

The country reported 130,000 new cases a year on the mainland, and the number is increasing by 4 percent annually, professor Xu Lin from Beijing Cancer Hospital says.

She says most Chinese patients are between 40 and 60 years old - slightly younger than those in Western countries. At least 60 percent were diagnosed at a late stage.

She urges people older than 45 to go for regular screening tests to ensure early detection and treatment.

China Daily-Agencies