Breast cancer ranks highest in new cases among all cancers in Vietnam, with a rapidly increasing incidence across both genders, according to Dr. Le Thu Ha, Head of Internal Medicine 1 at Hanoi Oncology Hospital. Dr. Ha shared this information during a panel on "Innovative Communication for Breast Cancer Awareness and Women's Health Care" held in Hanoi on October 30.

According to Dr. Ha, data from Globocan 2022 shows breast cancer as the leading cause of new cancer cases and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in Vietnam. Over the past five years, more than 72,000 breast cancer cases have been identified. In 2002, Vietnam recorded only 5,538 new cases, which soared to 24,563 by 2022. “The rapid increase in breast cancer is creating a considerable burden on Vietnam,” Dr. Ha remarked.

More worryingly, a high proportion of cases are diagnosed at stages 3 and 4, with an increasing number of younger patients. Specifically, around 15% of patients are under 40, and 45% are under 50 when diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This disease results in more than 10,000 deaths annually in Vietnam.

Given these facts, Dr. Ha noted that, despite significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains a burden with a poor prognosis for some patient groups.

For patients at advanced metastatic stages, the focus is on extending life, improving quality of life, and providing palliative care. Dr. Ha outlined several key solutions:

- For Physicians: Offer individualized treatment options, ensure patients' quality of life, regularly update treatment advancements, and enhance counseling skills.

- For Hospitals: Ensure adequate treatment options, establish patient clubs, create treatment handbooks, offer psychological and nutritional counseling, and provide palliative care to enhance patient quality of life.

- For the Community: Strengthen public awareness to facilitate access to treatment information, foster treatment adherence, build support funds, and encourage treatment compliance.

- For Patients and Families: Emphasize the importance of trust and treatment compliance, foster a positive outlook on health, and support patients' confidence in their treatment journey.

To improve treatment outcomes, Dr. Ha emphasized the importance of early detection in breast cancer. Early diagnosis can increase the chances of a complete cure, allowing patients to maintain a high quality of life, including the possibility of having children. Additionally, it alleviates pressure on the healthcare system, reduces the disease burden, and cuts treatment costs.

To achieve these goals, Dr. Ha believes Vietnam should focus on enhancing public awareness among women, promoting regular screenings and proactive health measures, and preventing the disease. Further, resources should be dedicated to training healthcare personnel, enhancing counseling capabilities, investing in screening and diagnostic technology, establishing free screening programs, and implementing new, effective treatments.

Diep Luc