Every year, there are approximately 10 million new cancer cases and around 6 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, thanks to continuous advancements in science, many types of cancer are now preventable and treatable. Professor Nguyen Chan Hung, Director of the Oncology Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, states…
The most common types of cancer affecting both men and women globally are estimated annually (see the chart below).
The 7 most common cancers worldwide are lung, breast, colorectal, stomach, liver, prostate, and cervical cancers.
– Lung Cancer: 1.35 million cases. This type of cancer, also known as bronchial cancer, consistently has the highest rates in both developed and developing countries. Lung cancer is closely linked to smoking habits.
– Breast Cancer: 1.15 million cases, the most common cancer among women.
– Colorectal Cancer: 1.02 million cases, prevalent in industrialized countries. This cancer arises from dietary habits in industrialized societies, with increasing fast food consumption and lower vegetable intake.
– Stomach Cancer: 934,000 cases, primarily caused by infection with Helicobacter Pylori. Stomach cancer is often associated with the consumption of preserved foods such as salted fish, smoked foods, pickles, and fermented products.
– Liver Cancer: 626,000 cases, related to viral hepatitis infections. Statistics show that 75% of liver cancer cases are associated with hepatitis B and C infections. Additionally, in tropical regions, grains contaminated with Aspergillus fungus increase the risk of liver cancer.
– Prostate Cancer: 679,000 cases, expected to double in the next 20 years due to the rising elderly population.
– Cervical Cancer: 493,000 new cases globally each year, with 82% attributed to HPV infections.
In Vietnam, there are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 new cancer cases reported annually, resulting in around 70,000 cancer-related deaths.
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Professor Nguyen Chan Hung |
In Vietnam, studies conducted in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi show that the 10 most common cancers among men include liver, lung, stomach, colorectal, prostate, oral cavity, nasopharynx, esophagus, lymphoma, and leukemia. Among women, the common cancers are cervical, breast, colorectal, lung, stomach, liver, ovarian, thyroid, uterine, and leukemia.
Below is a discussion between VietNamNet reporters and Professor Nguyen Chan Hung regarding the most concerning issues related to cancer.
* Can cancer be prevented?
– Professor Nguyen Chan Hung: According to the World Health Organization, one-third of all cancer cases worldwide can be prevented.
Lung, liver, stomach, and colorectal cancers are particularly difficult to treat, often discovered late, resulting in high mortality rates. However, these are also types of cancer that can be prevented.
To prevent lung cancer, one must avoid tobacco, as 85% of lung cancer cases in men and 47% in women are due to smoking.
Liver cancer can be prevented through vaccination to eliminate viral hepatitis.
For stomach cancer, a diet rich in fruits and fresh foods is essential.
Colorectal cancer is closely linked to the consumption of meat, animal fats, and fiber. Epidemiological studies also indicate that lack of physical activity and obesity significantly affect this disease.
With today’s advanced diagnostic techniques, cervical and breast cancers can be detected early and treated effectively. About 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary (mainly due to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes).
The primary risk factors for breast cancer are related to reproductive factors, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and the use of supplemental hormones such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.
* Many people believe that being diagnosed with cancer means certain death… Is that true?
– Professor Nguyen Chan Hung: In the past few decades, scientists have made significant advancements in understanding and responding to cancer.
Currently, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the three standard treatments for cancer. These methods are becoming increasingly effective for patients. The integration of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, or multimodal therapy, has provided optimal results.
Recently, the arsenal against cancer has been strengthened with new therapies currently undergoing clinical trials, showing great promise for the near future. Some have already been prescribed for treatment with positive outcomes: these include biological therapy and targeted therapy.
Surgery is just one of many cancer treatment options
* What are these new techniques?
– Professor Nguyen Chan Hung: These new techniques include:
1. Biological therapies or immunotherapies
Today, in addition to the three main weapons—surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy—immunotherapy is considered a fourth weapon against cancer.
Immunotherapy can be used alone or as an adjunct to enhance the anti-cancer effects of primary treatments. In recent years, significant progress has been made in this field:
2. Cancer vaccines
These are referred to as active immunotherapy: Currently, these vaccines are being tested in clinical trials for patients with malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer), renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and various lymphomas.
3. Monoclonal antibody therapies:
These represent passive immunotherapy because the antibodies are produced in large quantities outside the patient’s body in laboratories rather than by the patient’s immune system. They can be effective even when the patient’s immune system is severely weakened. There are two types of monoclonal antibodies:
– Unconjugated monoclonal antibodies: Currently, two drugs have been approved by the U.S. FDA: Rituxan (rituximab) for treating a type of lymphoma and Herceptin (trastuzumab) for advanced breast cancer. This therapy has been beneficial for some patients when standard treatments are ineffective.
– Conjugated monoclonal antibodies with drugs or radioactive substances: These are used as delivery vehicles to transport anti-cancer drugs or radioactive materials directly to cancer cells to destroy them.
4. Targeted therapies:
These therapies utilize drugs to block the growth and spread of cancer. They interfere with specific molecules involved in cancer development and tumor growth. As researchers refer to these molecules as “molecular targets,” these therapies are termed targeted therapies. Most of these therapies are still in preclinical trial phases, but some are in clinical trials and a few have been approved for market release.
* Have these new therapies been applied in Vietnam, Professor?
Professor Nguyen Chan Hung: Being new treatments, they are still quite expensive, but there is hope that in the near future, as drug prices decrease, people in developing countries will have the opportunity to access these new treatment methods.
NHAT PHUONG conducted this interview
