Cancer will increase strongly in Vietnam in the next 5 years

In 2010 in Vietnam, there were more than 126,000 new cases of cancer discovered, it is estimated that in 2020 there will be at least 200,000 people suffering from diseases, leading to lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

Warning of increased cancer in Vietnam

Professor Nguyen Chan Hung, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Society, said that although Vietnam has invested heavily in disease prevention, Vietnam still faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. In Vietnam, it is estimated that in 2012 there were 520,000 deaths of all kinds in the country, of which 73% were non-communicable diseases, mainly cancer, cardiovascular, chronic lung and diabetes.

The incidence of cancer tends to increase rapidly in most countries in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) said this is the epidemic that has occurred in the present. It is estimated that globally more than 14.1 million new people and 8.2 million people die from cancer each year, of which nearly 70% are in developing countries. Currently about 23 million people are living with cancer. Without timely interventions, this figure will reach 30 million by 2020.

In developed countries, cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. In developing countries, cancer ranks third after infection, parasites and cardiovascular disease.Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men worldwide. In women, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in developed countries and cervical cancer is the leading cause in developing countries. Stomach cancer is the second leading cause of death in both sexes.

People wait for medical examination at HCMC Cancer Hospital.(Photo: Le Phuong).

In 2010, there were 126,307 new cases of cancer in both sexes, of which more than 54,000 women and 72,000 men. It is estimated that there will be at least 200,000 new cases of cancer in 2020. The incidence of cancer in men is 101,000. Leading by lung cancer, then to the stomach, liver, colorectal, esophagus, arch, lymph nodes, blood, prostate . The incidence of women is 83,385 cases, the most are cancer. breast, stomach, lung, colorectal, cervical, thyroid, ovarian .

At present, the rate of basic knowledge of people about cancer is very low. Recent research results in 12 provinces show that 67.2% of respondents think that cancer is an incurable disease. 35.8% of people who think of cancer if they hit their knives will metastasize early and die quickly. Vietnam is aiming for 2020 about 70% of adults to understand correctly about cancer.

World Health Organization determines prevention is the long-term strategy that is most economical to control cancer. The International Association for Cancer Prevention says "40% of all cancers can be prevented". Prevention reduces the risk of cancer, reduces the number of new cancers, thereby reducing the cancer burden. Some high-risk cancer-causing factors according to WHO are:

1. Cigarette smoke.
2. Weight gain or obesity.
3. Eat unhealthy, less fruits and vegetables.
4. Lack of physical exercise.
5. Drink more alcohol.
6. Sexual HPV infection.
7. HBV and HCV infections.
8. Ionizing radiation and UV rays.
9. Occupational cancer.
10. Polluted urban environment.
11. The smoke in the house by cooking with solid fuel.

Experts recommend reducing the incidence of cancer by controlling or eliminating exposure to risk factors or increasing individual resistance to these risk factors with vaccines or preventive chemotherapy. Screening for early stage cancer plays an important role in the effectiveness of treatment. Need to build a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and movement, maintain an ideal weight.