Each year, Vietnam records more than 24,000 new cases of lung cancer, but approximately 75% of these patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in a 5-year survival rate of less than 15%.

Lung cancer: A leading cause of death and disability

At a workshop on March 26 discussing the "Vietnam Lung Health Access Program," Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan stated that non-communicable diseases, particularly lung-related illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer, have become leading causes of death and disability in Vietnam.

"Lung cancer ranks third in terms of new cases but second in terms of mortality in Vietnam. Of the over 24,000 new cases diagnosed annually, about 75% are discovered at a late stage, leading to a 5-year survival rate of less than 15%," Deputy Minister Thuan revealed.

Early detection significantly improves survival rates

Associate Professor Do Hung Kien, Deputy Director of K Hospital, noted that the hospital handles approximately 12,000 lung-related medical visits per year and treats around 3,200 lung cancer patients annually.

Kien pointed out that lung cancer in its early stages often lacks symptoms or is mistaken for other respiratory conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. By the time symptoms such as chest wall invasion, compression syndrome, or metastasis appear, the disease has typically progressed to an advanced stage.

"If detected early, lung cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 90%. However, in the most advanced stage (stage 4B), this rate drops to below 1%," Kien explained.

Given the limited survival prospects for late-stage lung cancer patients, Kien emphasized the need to strengthen screening and early diagnosis initiatives.

Challenges in early lung cancer screening

Despite the urgency, implementing early lung cancer screening in Vietnam faces numerous challenges. Health insurance does not cover screening methods, and some essential drugs are not readily available at healthcare facilities, making personalized treatment difficult.

Furthermore, Vietnam lacks standardized guidelines for community-based lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans for high-risk groups. Annual or biennial screening is recommended for high-risk individuals, including:

People aged 50-75 with a smoking history of more than 20 pack-years.
Non-smokers aged 50-75 with a first-degree family history of lung cancer.

Developing a comprehensive lung health program

The Vietnam Lung Health Program for the 2025-2027 period is being designed to address these challenges, with components including:

Raising public awareness through media campaigns.
Strengthening the capacity of grassroots healthcare workers.

Promoting early screening, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment of non-communicable lung diseases.
Applying digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data for disease monitoring and management.
Lung cancer remains a major threat

Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer worldwide, especially in Vietnam, where it ranks as the second most dangerous cancer after liver cancer among both men and women. According to medical research, lung cancer is classified into two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

Given its high mortality rate and the difficulty of early detection, lung cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge. Experts urge more proactive measures to enhance early diagnosis and reduce mortality rates.

Vo Thu