In Vietnam, lung cancer ranks second only to liver cancer, with approximately 26,000 new cases and 23,000 deaths annually. A significant 75% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage. While smoking is a primary risk factor, it is not the sole cause. Patient prognosis varies based on health status, detection time, and specific causes.

A considerable percentage of lung cancer patients have never smoked. The disease can also be linked to secondhand smoke exposure, contact with toxic chemicals in the workplace, genetic factors, or gene mutations occurring during one's lifetime.

Additionally, environmental factors such as air pollution, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), traffic emissions, industrial chemicals, and radon gas accumulation in enclosed spaces are identified as contributing factors that increase disease risk.

Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness about these diverse risk factors. Regular health check-ups and screenings, when indicated, are important for early disease detection.

Illustration: Jackson Hospital.

Lung cancer is a malignant disease that progresses silently in its early stages, with virtually no clinical symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment remain a significant challenge for many countries, including Vietnam. Most early detections occur during routine health check-ups or examinations for other conditions. The disease carries a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate below 10%, particularly in advanced stages.

Current treatment regimens often combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy. This approach improves tumor control and extends patient survival.

Doctors recommend annual lung cancer screenings, especially for individuals aged 50-80; current smokers or those who quit within 15 years; those frequently exposed to secondhand smoke; individuals with a family history of lung cancer; or those previously exposed to radon gas (a natural radioactive gas found in homes, schools, and workplaces).

Doctor Ngo Van Ty

Oncology Department, Hanoi Medical University Hospital