Vietnam cancer surge and prevention response

Vietnam is experiencing a rapid increase in cancer cases, with an estimated 180,000 new diagnoses each year—a 60% rise over the past 16 years and a growing share of deaths among younger patients. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of male cancer mortality, while breast cancer outcomes have improved thanks to modern therapies. In response, the Ministry of Health unveiled a National Action Plan for breast and cervical cancer for 2026‑2035, setting ambitious screening, vaccination and treatment targets.

A high‑level conference convened senior health officials, oncologists and hospital representatives to review the mounting cancer burden, discuss policy reforms, financing, workforce training, and technology adoption. Speakers warned that no drug can prevent cancer, urging reliance on healthy lifestyles, regular screenings and caution against false “anti‑cancer” claims.

At a July 31 conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Pham Xuan Dũng, vice‑president of the Vietnam Cancer Society, called for individualized diagnosis rather than mass testing. He emphasized evaluating the clinical value of each test and warned against over‑testing. Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) models are being rolled out across hospitals, potentially extending patient survival by about 15 months. Genetic profiling, especially rare gene mutations, is guiding therapy for advanced lung cancer. Vietnam aims to master next‑generation biotechnology and gene‑editing by 2045 to enable more precise cancer care.