On May 10, Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center at Bach Mai Hospital, stated that lung cancer is the leading cause of death in Vietnam, with over 24,000 new cases recorded in 2022. Dr. Phuong noted that the domestic early detection rate, which is below 10%, is significantly lower than the 50% seen in Japan or Taiwan.

"Ten years ago, Taiwan also saw 80% of patients arriving at hospitals in late stages," Dr. Phuong explained. "However, they shifted their strategy, focusing on lung nodule management and low-dose CT scans, which helped half their population detect the disease in its first stage, leading to complete cures."

In its early stage, a tumor under 4 cm that has not metastasized typically presents no symptoms, yet patients have a 5-year survival rate of up to 90%. As the tumor grows, patients may experience symptoms such as a cough lasting over two weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, or hoarseness.

In late stages, patients face bone pain, swelling in the neck and face, or headaches due to malignant cells metastasizing to the brain. At this point, doctors primarily focus on extending life with expensive treatments, while the 5-year survival chance drops below 20%.

People undergoing lung cancer screening at Bach Mai Hospital. Photo: Dieu Hien.

To improve timely screening rates, Bach Mai Hospital is currently implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and has established a multidisciplinary board comprising specialists in diagnostic imaging, respiratory medicine, thoracic surgery, and oncology. AI assists experts in accurately assessing small lung nodules, 2-3 mm in size, on CT scans to determine if they are benign or malignant. This allows medical professionals to make timely intervention decisions, saving patients' lives at a reasonable cost.

Associate Professor Phuong recommends that high-risk groups, including individuals over 50 years old, those with a long history of smoking, or a family history of lung cancer, should proactively undergo regular screening while healthy. Every individual should actively quit smoking, avoid passive smoke and harmful chemicals, and wear masks to protect against fine dust in polluted areas. Additionally, increasing intake of cruciferous vegetables and foods rich in vitamins C and E, along with 30 minutes of daily exercise, helps boost the body's resistance against pathogens.

Le Nga