VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Health has denied the existence of 10 so-called cancer villages, as their rates of cancer were found to be no higher than the national average.

The Ministry of Health has denied the existence of 10 so-called cancer villages, as their rates of cancer were found to be no higher than the national average. — Photo tuoitre.vn

The Viet Nam Health Environment Management Agency (VIHEMA) said that residents living in those villages had cancer rates ranging from 73 to 169 per 100,000 people. These numbers were no higher than the national cancer rates of 135 for women and 181 for men, per 100,000.

"We have yet to see an abnormal cancer rate in the 10 villages being investigated," announced the VIHEMA on Friday.

These villages were earlier dubbed "cancer villages" by the National Centre for Water Resources Planning and Investigation (NCWRPI) last year, following a nationwide investigation entitled "Search for hygenic water resources for Viet Nam’s cancer villages".

The cancers were thought to be caused by severe water pollution.

The NCWRPI was expected to hand over its data to the VIHEMA for  reassessment early next year, said the VIHEMA.

VNS