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Vietnam Cancer Cases May Rise 80% by 2050 Without Intervention
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Health & Science

Vietnam Cancer Cases May Rise 80% by 2050 Without Intervention

From Thanh Niên · () Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Cancer cases in Vietnam could increase by 80% by 2050 without early intervention, requiring comprehensive prevention and control measures.
  • Globally, over 20 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2024, with nearly half resulting in death; Vietnam saw nearly 180,000 new cases, a 60% rise since 2008.
  • Health officials are shifting focus from treatment to prevention, emphasizing lifestyle changes, early detection, and equitable access to medical advancements to combat the growing burden of the disease.

Cancer is becoming a major health burden in Vietnam, with projections indicating an 80% increase in cases by 2050 if early intervention measures are not implemented. This alarming forecast was highlighted at a workshop on "Cancer Prevention: A Comprehensive Breakthrough is Needed," co-organized by Tien Phong newspaper, the Ministry of Health, and Hong Bang International University.

If there are no early intervention measures, the number of cancer cases could increase by 80% by 2050.

— Dr. Do Anh TuDr. Do Anh Tu, Deputy Director of K Hospital and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Cancer Association, stated the projected increase in cancer cases.

According to Dr. Do Anh Tu, Deputy Director of K Hospital and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Cancer Association, the world recorded over 20 million new cancer cases in 2024, with nearly half proving fatal. In Vietnam, the number of new cases approached 180,000, a significant 60% increase from 2008. Without proactive measures, this figure is expected to surge by another 80% in the next two decades.

Cancer is becoming one of the biggest disease burdens in our country.

— Phung Cong SuongPhung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong newspaper, spoke at the opening of the workshop on cancer prevention.

While lung cancer remains the leading cause of death for men, often detected late, breast cancer in women has seen treatment advancements, with many surviving over five years even in advanced stages. The focus is shifting towards prevention, with experts noting that nearly 50% of global cancer cases are preventable through controlling alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. In Vietnam, nearly half of cancer cases are linked to infections, underscoring the importance of preventing HPV, HCV, and HBV, alongside promoting healthy living.

About 40% of cancer cases worldwide can be prevented by controlling alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and inactivity.

— Dr. Do Anh TuDr. Do Anh Tu highlighted preventable factors contributing to cancer incidence.

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, affirmed the government's commitment to cancer control, citing strategies and programs aimed at shifting from treatment to proactive prevention. He stressed the need for enhanced communication, prevention, and early detection efforts. Vietnam's cancer treatment capabilities have advanced, with medical professionals mastering modern techniques and the healthcare system improving access to cutting-edge treatments, though challenges remain regarding insurance coverage for advanced drugs.

The work of cancer prevention and control has always received the attention of the Party, State, and Ministry of Health.

— Dr. Nguyen Tri ThucDr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, Deputy Minister of Health, addressed the importance of government focus on cancer control.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Thanh Niên in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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