Breast cancer prevention in Vietnam reaches positive results
As many as 17,000 women received breast cancer examinations during the past three years in Vietnam, as a result of a breast cancer prevention and control project.
Hanoi (VNA) 🌼– As many as 17,000 women received breast cancer examinations during the past three years in Vietnam, as a result of a breast cancer prevention and control project, the results of which were released at a conference on January 29.
It was Vietnam's first-ever comprehensive breast cancer prevention and control project, according to the Ministry of Health.
Under the project "We care for her", which was run from 2013 to 2015 in Hanoi, HCM City, Hue, Da Nang and Can Tho by the Supportive Fund for Cancer Patients-Bright Future Fund and the Roche Company, nearly 600 doctors from central and district hospitals received training on breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Five breast cancer patient clubs were also founded.
Two forums for breast cancer patients were organised with 400 patients and medical workers participating.
Associate professor Nguyen Thi Xuyen, Deputy Minister of Health and Chairwoman of the Supportive Fund for Cancer Patients-Bright Future Fund, said that early discovery of breast cancer was vital.
"I believe that increasing understanding about breast cancer is the best prevention and really hope that breast cancer is no longer a big problem to women and they can live a happier life with more information and early detection," she said.
Inge Kusuma, Head of Vietnam Hoffmann-La Roche's Representative Office, said that she was proud of the results, which exceeded expectations.
But many women across the country needed knowledge about their health, not only about breast cancer, but also other diseases such as ovarian cancer and cervical cancer, she said.
"Please take action together for our beloved women today so that they will not have to worry about the disease tomorrow," she said.
During this year and the coming years, the project will continue to conduct education programmes to increase awareness of common cancers among women.
In Vietnam, more than 12,500 women suffered from breast cancer in 2010. The number is estimated to reach more than 22,600 by 2020.-VNA
Vietnam is set to ban about 22,000 types of cosmetics containing five derivatives of Paraben that are suspected of causing breast cancer and male infertility.
A campaign for controlling the incidence of breast cancer was launched on October 16 in Hanoi by the health ministry, the Supportive Fund for Cancer Patients-Bright Future Fund and Roche Company.
Hungary vows to support southern Can Tho city in establishing an oncology hospital to serve the entire Mekong Delta region, said Hungarian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Baloghdi Tibor on October.
The health sector will develop a detail roadmap for a national master plan for controlling and preventing reproductive cancers in women, which are likely to rise fast in the country.
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The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
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During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
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The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Breast cancer examination (Photo: VNA)
