As many as 130,000-160,000 new cancer cases are reported in Vietnam every year, along with up to 115,000 cancer-related deaths, according to initial research conducted in a number of cities and provinces nationwide.

The statistics were presented at a conference in Hanoi on October 16, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Cancer Association.

Globally, around 14.1 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year, two thirds of them are in developing countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease kills 8.2 million people each year, the WHO said.

The most common forms of cancer in men include liver, lung, stomach, intestine and oral cancer, while women are most commonly affected by breast, liver, lung, cervical andstomach cancer, according to the association.

Major factors causing cancer are environmental pollution, alcohol abuse, tobacco use and unhealthy lifestyles, including the consumption of salty and fatty foods, it said.

Healthy lifestyles could prevent 40% of cancer cases, while 30% of cases can be cured if diagnosed and treated early, and 30% can be controlled to prolong patients’ life using modern treatment methods.

Cancer cases doubled between 1974 and 2000, and are forecast to double again by 2030, the WHO warned.

During the conference, nearly 60 scientific reports and research papers were presented, focussing on common forms of cancer and treatment methods, especially in public healthcare facilities.

As part of the ongoing efforts to address breast cancer and cervical cancer, Hanoi implemented a project to provide early diagnosis for women in the locality for the 2012-14 period.

Covering 180 communes and towns, the project offered health check-ups to more than 51,000 women, thus providing prompt treatment to patients.

Meanwhile, the project also ran training courses for local health workers and communication campaigns aimed at women.

According to Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee, the project will be expanded in the 2015-17 period.

VNA/VNN