Early cancer detection crucial for successful treatment, Vietnamese professor says

Catching cancer early significantly improves treatment outcomes, potentially leading to recovery, according to Professor Nguyễn Chấn Hùng, Honorary Chairman of the Vietnam Cancer Association. He stressed that cancer is no longer a death sentence, thanks to advancements in diagnosis and treatment that allow many patients to live longer or even be cured if detected in its initial stages.

Professor Hùng outlined several warning signs that individuals should not ignore and should prompt them to seek medical examination promptly. These include unusual lumps, unexplained bleeding or discharge, persistent coughing or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, changes in bowel or bladder habits, sores that do not heal, changes in moles, and unexplained weight loss or fatigue. While these symptoms do not definitively mean a person has cancer, prolonged presence necessitates professional medical evaluation.

He also highlighted two approaches to early cancer detection: recognizing warning symptoms and undergoing regular screenings. Screenings proactively search for certain cancers in individuals without symptoms, based on age, gender, and risk factors. Furthermore, Professor Hùng noted that 30-40% of cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle changes such as avoiding tobacco smoke, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and reducing exposure to carcinogens and certain infections like Hepatitis B, C, and HPV.