On 20/12, Dr. Huynh Xuan Nghiem, Deputy Director of Hung Vuong Hospital, announced at a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) application in cervical cancer screening that the hospital is among the first facilities in Vietnam to implement the Cervicare AI technique, following its approval by the Ministry of Health. Over the past two years, this method has been piloted in several remote areas, including Thanh An island commune, to expand screening access for women.

According to Dr. Huynh Thuy Thao Quyen, Deputy Head of Outpatient Department A at Hung Vuong Hospital, the hospital has performed AI screening for over 500 cases, noting significant advantages. The AI system analyzes cervical images and delivers results in approximately 5 minutes, allowing patients to receive immediate consultation and management during their initial visit, a stark contrast to the one to three week waiting period for traditional papsmear or HPV cytology tests.

Regarding cost, the AI test is currently priced at around 320,000 VND, significantly lower than a liquid-based pap smear (approximately 650,000-700,000 VND) and roughly one-third the cost of an HPV test. This affordability helps alleviate the financial burden on patients, particularly for initial screenings where the majority of results are typically normal.

Both domestic and international studies indicate that AI screening effectiveness is comparable to cytology, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity, particularly in detecting mild and severe precancerous lesions. Algorithmic image analysis further contributes to reducing subjective factors often associated with purely visual interpretation of results.

Doctors emphasize that AI does not replace the human role in diagnosis. Cases where AI detects abnormalities or raises suspicion are referred for further diagnostic steps, such as colposcopy, biopsy, or additional diagnostic tests, in accordance with Ministry of Health recommendations.

Doctors at Hung Vuong Hospital apply Cervicare AI technology for cervical cancer screening. Photo: Yen Pham

Current recommendations advise women aged 21 to 65, including those vaccinated against HPV, to undergo regular cervical cancer screening. During the initial implementation phase, the hospital recommends annual screenings; this frequency may be adjusted as more long-term follow-up data becomes available.

Leaders at Hung Vuong Hospital recognize cervical cancer as a significant health burden. According to Globocan data, Vietnam records approximately 6,200 new cases and 2,500 deaths annually, predominantly among women with limited access to healthcare services. The application of AI is expected to boost screening coverage, particularly at grassroots levels and in disadvantaged regions, thereby contributing to a reduction in incidence and mortality rates in the coming years.

Early-stage cervical cancer often presents with no clear symptoms, primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Other risk factors include early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, partners infected with HPV, and weakened immune systems. Therefore, doctors typically recommend early HPV vaccination for women, combined with regular screening and gynecological examinations every six months, to detect the disease in its early stages.

Le Phuong