Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuyen, former Deputy Minister of Health, highlighted this issue at a scientific conference on "Updates on new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of NCDs," co-organized by the Vietnam Medical Association and Roche Vietnam in Hanoi on 26/7.
"Vietnam is facing a substantial disease burden and a high mortality rate due to the rise of these diseases," Dr. Xuyen emphasized. These diseases are characterized by complex causes, subtle onset, prolonged progression, and severe consequences. The primary causes include smoking, alcohol consumption, diets lacking fruits and vegetables, insufficient physical activity, and high salt intake. Individuals who are overweight, obese, or have lipid disorders face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses, especially men.
Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Tien, Executive Vice President of the National Medical Council, also recognized these diseases as "silent threats" to public health. He cited alarming statistics: cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of approximately 200,000 people annually; nearly 183,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed, and over 122,000 people die from cancer each year. Meanwhile, chronic respiratory diseases affect 4.2% of people over 40, and the prevalence of diabetes in adults is 5.4%.
A concerning reality is that most patients are diagnosed only in the late stages of these diseases. For instance, 65% of lung cancer patients in Vietnam are diagnosed at stages 3 and 4, significantly reducing their chances of recovery. About 50% of people with hypertension are unaware of their condition, only one-third receive treatment, and many do not adhere to their treatment plans.
This underscores the importance of early diagnosis, which not only increases the chances of survival but also allows for timely intervention through lifestyle changes and preventive therapies.
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A patient has their blood drawn for testing at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in TP HCM. Photo: Quynh Tran |
A patient has their blood drawn for testing at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in TP HCM. Photo: Quynh Tran
Regarding diagnosis, experts believe that high-value, personalized medical testing solutions are key to shifting the healthcare sector's mindset from "treatment" to "proactive care." Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Medical Association, described diagnosis as the "compass" for all treatment decisions, paving the way for personalized medicine.
"Thanks to advanced biomarkers, doctors can develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient based on their genetics, environment, and lifestyle, instead of applying a general approach," Dr. Kinh explained. For example, analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from a blood sample can help monitor cancer progression and detect early recurrence without invasive surgical procedures.
Despite their severity, these diseases are largely preventable. Experts recommend that people actively monitor their health, adopt a healthy diet, increase physical activity, and avoid risk factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress.
Le Nga
