Intensify screening and prevention in the face of the surge in cancer cases
The Vietnamese Cancer Association, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, organized the annual conference on the fight against cancer on December 4.
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| Conference overview of annual conference on the fight against cancer. |
The incidence of new cases of cancer is constantly increasing. The majority of them are detected at advanced stages, which leads to an increase in the mortality rate and an overload of last resort hospitals. It is therefore crucial to strengthen screening for early diagnosis, to improve the effectiveness of treatments and reduce the burden on patients, their families and society.
This information was shared during the annual conference on the fight against cancer, organized in the southern megacity.
Cancer, 2e cause of early mortality in the country
According to Doctor Diêp Bao Tuân, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, Vietnam records more than 180,000 new cases and more than 120,000 deaths due to cancer each year. Cancer is the second leading cause of early mortality in the country, just after cardiovascular diseases, and represents a heavy social burden. At Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, it is estimated that in 2025, more than one million patients will be examined, an increase of 22% compared to 2024. Thyroid and breast cancers are the most common. Statistics reveal that the disease state is already at stages 3 or 4 for approximately 50% to 80% of admitted patients. This situation is of great concern because late diagnosis and treatment of cancer increases both the mortality rate and treatment costs. The main reason lies in the fact that the population is not used to carrying out regular screening examinations and only consults once symptoms appear, whereas the first stages of the disease are often asymptomatic.
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| HÃ Anh Duc, director of the Department of Examination and Treatment Administration of the Ministry of Health, speaks at the opening. |
Doctor HÃ Anh Duc, director of the Department of Examination and Treatment Administration of the Ministry of Health, shares the same view. He believes that the overload of last resort oncology hospitals is partly due to the fact that patients only arrive when the disease is already at an advanced stage. Facilities such as Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital and K Hospital in Hanoi are being forced to expand their infrastructure to meet growing demand. Therefore, the said ministry is committed to strengthening screening and reorganizing the treatment network, expanding the capacity of hospitals to cope with the growing number of patients.
The director of the Department also acknowledged that although Vietnam has made many advances in treatment, the survival period of Vietnamese patients remains modest compared to many advanced countries. This is why sustained investment will be required to develop precision processing methods and apply global advances. Currently, the Ministry of Health is developing a project for a proton therapy center to increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment. It also prioritizes expanding international cooperation to access new advances and participate in international research and clinical trials.
The annual Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Control Seminar this year welcomed more than 2,000 leading experts in the oncology sector from many provinces and cities across the country, as well as renowned specialists from Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan (China). This major scientific event for Ho Chi Minh City’s healthcare sector is a prestigious platform to update knowledge, exchange experiences and present new advances in cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This year, a special session was devoted to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology. The presentations focused on cutting-edge techniques such as AI in radiotherapy planning and screening, adaptive radiotherapy, modern endoscopic surgery, vascular intervention in liver cancer treatment, molecular testing, treatment personalization and post-therapy management.
This annual seminar is not only a reference scientific forum, it also plays an essential role in the construction and development of the cancer control network in Vietnam. It contributes to improving the quality of care for cancer patients, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, by placing the patient at the center of concerns. Finally, it promotes the development of cutting-edge science and technology in oncology, in order to gradually place Vietnam at the regional and world level in research and application of modern medicine.
Text and photos: Quang Chau/CVN
