HCM City International Hospital organised a programme called Vietnamese Women’s Day - Healthy is Beautiful on October 19 to raise awareness of breast cancer, its threats, early detection, prevention and treatment. — Photo Courtesy of the hospital

HCM CITY — Though the number of people getting breast cancer is increasing every year, it is one cancer that can be treated effectively and completely cured if detected early, a doctor from HCM City’s City International Hospital told a seminar on Saturday (October 19).

Dr Trần Vương Thảo Nghi said: “The treatment of breast cancer has seen major innovation in surgery, radiotherapy, chemicals and a combination of hormone therapy and biological therapy. If detected early, the disease can be completely cured. In stages 1 and 2, more than 90 per cent of patients can be cured. In stage 3, the successful treatment rate if detected early is 60 per cent. In stage 4 the treatment is usually only to prolong the patient’s life and manage the pain.”

Dr Thái Thị Hoa, a specialist in pain management at the University of Paris VII in France, said diet helps prevent cancer and suggested body detoxification therapies for a healthy lifestyle.

The seminar was held as part of a programme called “Vietnamese Women’s Day - Healthy is Beautiful” on the theme of breast cancer in women the City International Hospital organised to raise awareness about its threats, early detection, prevention, screening and treatments.

Dr Trần Thị Mỹ Loan of the hospital said the seminar provided the right information about breast cancer to the community.

The programme attracted widespread interest and the hospital has promised to expand it in the coming years. — VNS