160,000 New Cancer Cases Found in Vietnam Every Year

Vietnam has found as many as 130,000-160,000 new cancer cases every year, according to a research of the Ministry of Health. The number of cancer-related deaths increases by between 85,000 and 115,000 cases per annum, it said. The statistics were presented at a conference in Hanoi on Oct. 16, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Cancer Association. The most common forms of cancer in men include liver, lung, stomach, intestine and oral cancer, while women are most commonly affected by breast, liver, lung, cervical and stomach cancer. Major factors causing cancer are environmental pollution, alcohol abuse, tobacco use and unhealthy lifestyles, including the consumption of salty and fatty foods. Healthy lifestyle could prevent 40% of cancer cases, while 30% of the cases can be cured if diagnosed and treated early, and 30% can be controlled to prolong patients’ life using modern treatment methods. At the conference, nearly 60 scientific reports and research papers were presented, focusing on common forms of cancer and treatment methods, especially in public healthcare facilities. (VietnamPlus Oct 17, www.nhandan.com.vn Oct 17)