Vietnam ranks 78th among countries with high cancer rates.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently ranked the top 50 countries in terms of cancer incidence and mortality rates in group 1; the next 50 countries in group 2. Vietnam ranks 78 out of 172 countries and territories with high cancer mortality rates (110 per 100,000 people). Therefore, Vietnam belongs to group 2 on the world cancer map.

On September 12, WHO announced a forecast of about 18 million people being diagnosed with cancer in 2018, of whom more than 9.6 million died. The data shows that the incidence of cancer tends to increase in most countries in the world, of which about 70% are in developing countries. In Vietnam, the number of new cancer cases increased rapidly from 68,000 in 2000 to 126,000 in 2010. This number is forecast to increase to about 200,000 cases by 2020. Every year, our country has about 115,000 people die from cancer, or about 315 deaths per day.

In the two most densely populated cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the number of cancer patients is increasing the fastest. Ho Chi Minh City leads the way, with an average of 172 out of 100,000 men suffering from cancer, while the rate for women is 139/100,000. Lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women are the most common cancers, followed by stomach cancer.

Associate Professor Tran Van Thuan, Director of K Hospital (Hanoi), said that the percentage of people with basic knowledge about cancer is still very low. More than 67% of respondents believe that cancer is an incurable disease, so it doesn't matter if it is detected early or late. Nearly 36% believe that if cancer is surgically treated, it will metastasize early and cause death.

However, according to experts, most cancers can be cured when detected early, treated promptly and with the right method. Currently, the cancer cure rate (survival rate over 5 years) in men is 33%, in women about 40%, while in many developed countries this rate is up to 70-80%.

According to WHO, about 1/3 of cancers can be prevented. 1/3 of cancers can be cured if detected early, treated promptly and properly. The remaining 1/3 of cancers can prolong and improve the quality of life of patients if they receive active care and treatment.