Early identification of the cause of the disease in hamlet 3, Vinh Son (Anh Son)

(Baonghean) Based on a reader's feedback, we went to Hamlet 3, Vinh Son Commune (Anh Son) to find out the truth about the situation where many people have died of cancer in the past. Crossing the suspension bridge over the Lam River and asking for directions to Hamlet 3, Vinh Son Commune, the people giving directions all call the hamlet "cancer hamlet".

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tan, the head of Hamlet 3, confirmed: "The hamlet is about 500 meters long and 150 meters wide. If we count carefully and specifically, over the past years, there must have been more than 20 people in the hamlet who died from cancer, including lung, liver, esophageal, pharyngeal, and stomach cancer...

In the hamlet, there are currently 4 people being treated, including Mr. Nguyen Huu Chau (lung cancer), Mr. Phan Ba ​​Hanh (colon cancer), Mr. Dinh Trong Hoanh (lung cancer) and Nguyen Viet Trong (esophageal cancer) who are being treated at Bach Mai Hospital. People with cancer in hamlet 3, Vinh Son are usually around 50 years old, some have even just turned 40.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chau (right) is suffering from lung cancer.

We went to the house of Mr. Nguyen Huu Chau, one of four people in the neighborhood who are currently being treated for cancer. Mr. Chau is now in his 50s, still looking plump, stylish, and healthy. Few people would think that he has cancer if they did not notice that all his hair has fallen out due to treatment for this disease. Mr. Chau said: "In June 2011, I felt chest pain and difficulty breathing, so I went to the doctor and the doctor confirmed that I had lung cancer and transferred me to the K Hospital for treatment. Up to now, I have undergone 6 radiation treatments, so the disease has somewhat subsided.

According to the treatment regimen, I will have to continue with another round of radiation therapy. All of my family's assets have been lost due to my terrible disease." Mr. Phan Ba ​​Hanh (born in 1971), who is suffering from colon cancer, shared: "Last year, I had a stomachache, took many types of medicine but saw no improvement, went to the hospital and received the conclusion that I had colon cancer. After surgery, I have now undergone 11/12 chemotherapy sessions, lost more than 100 million VND, had to sell buffaloes and cows and borrow more from brothers and relatives."

Currently, the people of Hamlet 3 are extremely confused. People think that the cause of cancer is the water source, so for a long time they have not used the local water source for cooking but have to go get water from other areas about 1-2 km away or invest in building tanks to collect rainwater. In particular, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tan said that everyone is worried that they may be harboring cancer pathogens, so the whole hamlet is competing to buy health insurance. Except for the families of civil servants and poor households who are given priority, most families participate in voluntary insurance. Many people are preparing a certain amount of money to go for a general check-up, so that if they have an illness, it can be detected early, treatment is easier and less expensive.

According to Mr. Tran Hong Hinh, during the resistance war against the French, there was a weapons factory in Hamlet 3 that was evacuated for quite a long time. Therefore, during the production process, over time, some types of toxic chemicals may have seeped into the underground water, causing cancer in the local people. Mr. Le Dinh Sinh, a cadastral officer of Vinh Son commune, said: "In 2005, a working group from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment came to the locality to investigate the water source. The result was that 3 water samples in Hamlet 3 all had arsenic concentrations 20 times higher than the permitted level. We have issued a written recommendation to the people of Hamlet 3". But up to this point, no relevant departments have come here to find out the cause. Mr. Tran Hong Hinh added: "I have sent a petition to the district leaders and relevant departments at the district level (Health Center, Health Department, Natural Resources and Environment Department) but have not received a response yet".

It is thought that determining the cause of cancer in hamlet 3, Vinh Son commune needs to be implemented soon by authorities at all levels and relevant departments and branches so that people can feel secure in living, producing and ensuring the lives of future generations.

Cong Kien