Vietnam shoulders burden of cervical cancer: experts
Cervical cancer is currently a burden around the world, but especially in Asia where most mortalities from this type of cancer are recorded, heard a symposium in Hanoi on August 17.
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Meanwhile, seven women die of this cancer in Vietnam each day, said Vu Ba Quyet – Director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
He noted there are some 36.39 million women aged 15 and above in the country, and this is the most vulnerable group. However, only 4.5 – 5 percent of women aged between 18 and 69 have been screened for cervical cancer.
Reports at the symposium said there are over 100 different strains of HPV virus, which causes 99 percent of cervical cancer cases, and 14 strains of them, especially types 16 and 17, are high risk.
Participants called on Vietnam to develop more effective strategies on cervical cancer screening.
At the event, held by the Vietnam Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, they also discussed the situation in the country, the necessity of screening and the advantages of the HPV DNA test.
