Seven Women Die of Cervical Cancer in Vietnam Every Day

As one of the most fatal forms of cancer in women, cervical cancer kills seven women in Vietnam every day, according to a seminar on prevention and early detection of cervical cancer on August 17, state media reported. In addition, more than half of the 500,000 women suffering from cervical cancer die every year around the world. There are some 36.39 million women aged 15 and above in the country, and this is the most vulnerable group, said Vu Ba Quyet, director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, adding that only 4.5% – 5% of women aged between 18 and 69 have been screened for cervical cancer.  Reports at the symposium said there are over 100 different strains of HPV virus, which causes 99% of cervical cancer cases, and 14 strains of them, especially types 16 and 17, are high risk. Participants called on Vietnam to develop more effective strategies on cervical cancer screening. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is one of the deadliest but most easily preventable forms of cancer in women, responsible for more than 270,000 deaths annually, 85% of which occur in developing countries. (congly.vom.vn Aug 17, Giao Thong – Transport Aug 18 p2)