Liver cancer leads cancers in Vietnam
In 2020, Vietnam recorded 26,418 new cases of liver cancer, accounting for 14.5%, the highest among common cancers.
The figures were recorded by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR) in its 2020 Global Cancer Report, which provides cancer data in 185 countries and territories, updated every two years.
In the past two years, Vietnam recorded 182,563new cancer cases. Compared to 2018, the number of liver cancer cases in Vietnam increased by 1,083 new cases, continuing to lead the list of common cancers. The five most common cancers in 2020 were liver cancer, lung cancer, female breast cancer, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer. In 2018, the five most common cancers were liver cancer, accounting for 15.4% with 25,335 cases, followed by lung, stomach, breast, and colorectal cancer.
Thus, in 2020, the top 5 cancers remain the same, except that breast cancer increased in order by one place, surpassing stomach cancer to take third place.
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| Rates of new cancers in Vietnam according to updated data in 2020. Source: IARC |
Dr. Diep Bao Tuan, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, said that the reason why the number of liver cancer cases in Vietnam continues to increase and accounts for a high percentage is because the reality of hepatitis B and C vaccination is not guaranteed. Many people have not been fully vaccinated against hepatitis or have not received booster shots after the expiration date.
"In addition, cirrhosis and liver cancer are often caused by drinking too much alcohol, fatty liver disease, and aflatoxin poisoning found in peanuts or moldy dry foods," Dr. Tuan shared.
In addition, population growth and aging are also reasons for the overall increase in cancer cases in Vietnam, including liver cancer. Increased cancer prevention propaganda and convenient transportation help people pay more attention to health check-ups and go to upper-level hospitals for early cancer screening.
To reduce the risk of liver cancer, Dr. Diep Minh Tuan recommends that people should be fully vaccinated against hepatitis B and C, limit alcohol consumption, eat lots of vegetables, increase physical activity, and avoid using moldy dry foods, pickled foods, or salted foods.
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| Number of new cancer cases in Vietnam 2018 and 2020. |
Analyzing the increase in breast cancer rates in 2020, according to Dr. Tuan, there are many reasons. Among them, women tend to have fewer children, give birth after the age of 35, and breastfeed less, which also increases the risk of breast cancer.
Thanks to the development of science and technology, breast cancer screening can detect tumors under 10 mm, helping to diagnose cancer in a timely manner, which is also the reason for the increase in cases. "The increase is not entirely a bad sign, but shows the initiative in cancer prevention and treatment, helping to intervene in cancer treatment at an early stage," said Dr. Tuan.