Cervical cancer causes over 4,000 annual deaths in Vietnam

In Vietnam, an estimated 4,110 women will die from cervical cancer in 2024, with 8,274 new cases projected, according to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This follows a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where the World Health Organization reported approximately 160,000 new diagnoses and 100,000 deaths in 2022, accounting for about one-quarter of the global burden.

To address these figures, the ACTIVE 2.0 Project has been launched in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia. This three-year initiative aims to enhance medical expertise, promote cross-border experience sharing, and improve the quality of treatment and care, specifically focusing on radiotherapy capabilities.

Globally, research published in The Lancet Oncology indicates that one-eighth of all cancer cases are linked to infectious agents. Twelve specific infectious agents have been identified, including HPV, Hepatitis B and C, and H. pylori. Experts emphasize that many of these cases could be prevented through vaccination, screening, and effective treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.