Each year, approximately 6,200 cases of HPV-related cancer are recorded in Vietnam, with more than 2,500 women dying from cervical cancer.

The alarming statistics were revealed during the national media campaign "For a Vietnam Free from the Burden of HPV," organized by the Ministry of Health on March 29. The campaign aims to raise public awareness and promote prevention of diseases and cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

High treatment costs

According to Globocan 2022 data, Vietnam reports around 6,200 cases of HPV-related cancers annually, including cervical, vaginal, penile, and genital warts affecting both men and women. Among these, cervical cancer is the most prevalent, causing more than 2,500 deaths each year. Without timely interventions, it is projected that approximately 200,000 Vietnamese women could die from cervical cancer by 2070.

Cervical cancer ranks fourth among cancers affecting Vietnamese women, accounting for about 12% of all female cancers and second only to breast cancer in terms of mortality.

Cervical cancer develops over many years, with most cases seen in women aged 40 to 70, though it can also affect younger women in their 20s. The prognosis largely depends on the stage at diagnosis, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 90% at stage I, dropping to 60-80% at stage II, 50% at stage III, and below 30% at stage IV.

Treatment costs vary significantly by stage, averaging between VND 89.8 million and VND 138.4 million ($3,800 to $5,800) per year.

Prevention through vaccination and screening

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasized that while cervical cancer remains a serious health threat, it is entirely preventable through HPV vaccination and early screening. Pre-cancerous lesions detected through screening can often be treated effectively with simple and affordable methods.

Starting in 2026, HPV vaccines will be included in the National Expanded Immunization Program and administered for free, according to Resolution No. 104 issued on August 15, 2022.

Deputy Minister Tuyen urged the public to adopt healthy lifestyles and take proactive measures to protect personal and community health. He also called on parents to be vigilant about the risks of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases, particularly for adolescents.

Understanding HPV and its risks

HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and is not only associated with cervical cancer but also with other cancers, such as vaginal and penile cancers, and genital warts in both men and women.

A single case of cervical cancer caused by HPV can potentially spread to 12-18 other individuals, with transmission rates far exceeding those of influenza and chickenpox. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, conjunctivitis, and rash. In advanced stages, it can cause severe complications, such as laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, otitis media, gastrointestinal ulcers, corneal ulcers, immune suppression, and even death.

Vo Thu