Scott No: 2212-13
Serial number: T136
Values in set: 2
Souvenir Sheet: 1
Date of issue: April 7, 1989
Designers: Chen Youlin
Size: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 50(10*5)
Printing process: offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp set Pooling Collective Wisdom to Conquer Cancer, catalog number T136, was issued on April 7, 1989. It consists of two stamps, produced using offset printing. The stamps measure 30×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 12 degrees. Each sheet contains 50 stamps (10×5). The stamps were designed by Chen Youlin and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

This stamp set was issued on World Health Day, which that year had the theme "Everyone Participates in Cancer Prevention and Treatment." The title of the stamp set is taken from an inscription by Comrade Deng Yingchao for the China Cancer Research Foundation. It aims to popularize knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment, advocate the prevention concept of "early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment," call on society to collaborate and fight cancer scientifically, and showcase the exploration and efforts of modern medicine against cancer. It is China's first special stamp set dedicated to the theme of cancer prevention and treatment.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Cancer Prevention and Treatment

The image features numerous red crosses interwoven into a net, with the internationally recognized crab symbol for cancer at the center. The red crosses represent medical forces, symbolizing the joint efforts of medical forces across society to weave a protective net, surround and resist cancer, and highlighting the cancer-fighting philosophy of prevention first and mass prevention and control.

Hyperthermia Image Diagnosis of Cancer

The main subject is a color human body thermography map. Different colors represent different temperature regions of the human body, used to identify abnormal metabolic signals of tumors. A beam of radiation points toward the lesion, representing radiotherapy. Thermography was a cutting-edge cancer screening and diagnostic technology at the time. The stamp intuitively displays the scientific methods of modern medical detection and treatment of cancer, reflecting the important role of medical technology in cancer treatment.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses modern graphic symbolic design. The compositions are simple and direct, with clear and easy-to-understand meanings. The first stamp uses red and white contrast, with a neat cross grid creating a strong visual impact. The second stamp uses rich colored thermographic color blocks, restoring the scientific appearance of medical imaging. The style is simple and modern, with prominent educational attributes. The two stamps discuss prevention and diagnosis/treatment respectively, echoing each other and fully expressing the theme of cancer prevention and treatment.