Vietnam Records Cancer Death Every Five Minutes, Late Diagnosis a Major Concern

Vietnam is facing a severe cancer crisis, with an average of one death every five minutes, largely attributed to late diagnoses. Experts emphasize the urgent need for enhanced prevention and early detection strategies, as many patients are only identified after their condition has significantly progressed. According to the GLOBOCAN 2024 dataset from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Vietnam records 177,404 new cancer cases annually, with 404,153 people living with a diagnosis made within the last five years. This represents a 59% increase in incidence and a 35% rise in deaths compared to 16 years ago. The mortality-to-incidence ratio stands at 63%, significantly higher than the 35-40% observed in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Japan, where earlier detection is more common. Men account for 85,748 new cases and 63,167 deaths, resulting in a mortality-to-incidence ratio of 74%. Among women, this figure is 52%. The most common cancers diagnosed in men are lung, colorectal, and liver cancer, while breast and thyroid cancer lead among women. Breast cancer is now the most frequently diagnosed cancer overall with 25,711 cases, followed by lung cancer at 23,085. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death. Vietnam lacks a comprehensive national cancer registry, with data primarily collected at a few major centers. The IARC derives mortality estimates by applying modeled ratios to incidence figures rather than direct death counts. Experts advocate for a unified, nationwide registry system to enable accurate policy-making and prompt detection of disease trends. Healthcare resource allocation is another concern. For every 1,000 new cancer patients, Vietnam has approximately 4.6 medical oncologists and 1.3 radiation oncologists, with a significant shortage of pathologists. The cost of cancer treatment is substantial, and newer drugs are often not fully covered by insurance, placing a heavy financial burden on patients. Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc stressed that cancer control must be a continuous chain, from public awareness and prevention to screening, treatment, and palliative care. He emphasized the need to shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one focused on prevention and early detection. From 2026, Vietnam plans to provide every citizen with at least one free health check or screening annually, as committed by Politburo Resolution 72. Approximately 40% of cancers are preventable through control of known risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and infections with HPV and hepatitis B and C viruses. Early detection and prompt treatment can lead to high survival rates for certain cancers, including thyroid, breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes state-led public health initiatives. However, challenges remain in addressing regional disparities in healthcare access and managing out-of-pocket expenses within the national health insurance framework. Strengthening the healthcare system to better protect its citizens' health is a critical policy priority for Vietnam as it continues its economic development. Source: VnExpress International