Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn speaks at the Hà Nội Cancer Prevention and Control Conference 2022 on November 4. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÀ NỘI — The number of cancer cases in Việt Nam has tripled over the last 30 years and cases are now being seen in younger patients, participants heard at the Hà Nội Cancer Prevention and Control Conference 2022.

The event was organised by the Hanoi Oncology Hospital in collaboration with the Vietnam Cancer Society and the Hanoi Department of Health on November 3-4.

In Việt Nam, each year there are 183,000 new cases and 123,000 deaths from cancer. Currently, there are 354,000 people living with cancer in the country, according to GLOBOCAN.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn said that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cancer, are increasing along with the development of economy and life. NCDs, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, account for 74 per cent of deaths of humans. Globally, there are 19.3 million new cases and deaths from cancer every year.

In 2020, Việt Nam ranked 91/185 in terms of the cancer incidence rate and 50/185 in terms of mortality rate per 100,000 people. These rankings in 2018 were 99/185 and 56/185, respectively. Thus, it can be seen that both new cases and deaths from cancer in Việt Nam are increasing, according to Thuấn.

“However, cancer is not a problem that should cause fear and anxiety," Thuấn said. "We can detect it early and cure it thanks to new technologies in diagnosis and treatment.”

"The trend of fear with cancer is decreasing. Many patients have worked, studied and lived with cancer. Personally, I have heard of many severe cases, detected at late stage, but still living healthy after 10 years thanks to the new treatment therapies from K Hospital, Bạch Mai or Hanoi Oncology hospitals. This shows that our level of science and technology has gradually approached the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the world," said Thuấn.

Oncological experts also said that Việt Nam recently achieved remarkable results in increasing the numbers of cases of early diagnosis and successful treatment amid the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

Director of Hanoi Oncology Hospital Bùi Vinh Quang speaks at the event. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

"In the field of cancer treatment, the impact of COVID-19 has been deep, increasing pressure and adding bad outcomes for patients who are in need of continuous treatment. Cancer hospitals and medical facilities have had to reallocate resources every day to cope with and maintain the dual goals of disease treatment and epidemic control at the same time," Director of Hanoi Oncology Hospital Bùi Vinh Quang said.

“In order to improve the quality of cancer diagnosis and treatment, Hanoi Oncology Hospital has focused activities on developing specialised expertise and techniques in cancer treatment,” said Quang.

The conference drew the participation of nearly 500 health experts and scientists from 150 medical facilities, general hospitals, oncology specialties, local and international institutes and universities.

The conference saw 46 scientific articles in various fields, such as updates on advances in oncology, immunology, targeted therapy, molecular biology, nutrition in oncology, the psychology/sociology of cancer, and information technology in hospitals. — VNS