Cancer is one of the most common diseases in Ho Chi Minh City and the risk is increasing, a hospital warns The warning was released by the HCMC Oncology Hospital at the 15th annual seminar on cancer prevention and control in HCMC held on December 6-7 by the hospital and the city Cancer Association. The number of cancer patients in the city increased 5.4 percent per year on average during the 2006-2010 period, the hospital said. The five most common cancers in men is lung, liver, rectum, stomach and the upper jaw cancers, while in women, they are breast, cervix, rectum, lung and thyroid gland. Cancer is more often seen in people above 40 years old or older and the disease is less common in people after 80. According to reports about cancer situation in HCMC since 2003, breast cancer has overtaken cervical cancer to top the list of the most common cancers in women. The most common cancer in the age group of 0-14 is leukemia, followed by eye, kidney, bones and soft tissues. In the age range from 15-24, ovary cancer are seen the most in women while thyroid cancer occurs the most in both sexes. In people of ages 25-34, thyroid is the most common cancer for both men and women.

Patients waiting for examination at the HCMC Oncology Hospital (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

As for people over 35 years old and under 65, lung, liver, rectum, stomach and the upper jaw cancers are most seen in men, while in women, they are breast, cervix, rectum, lung and thyroid gland cancers. Meanwhile, skin cancer is among the most common cancers in people at 65 years old or older, for both men and women. In women of this age, the risk of breast cancer tends to reduce. Every year Vietnam has about 150,000 new cancer patients and 75,000 people died of cancer. Most cancer cases have been detected late, especially liver, stomach, lung, breast and cervical cancers, the hospital said.

In order to prevent the disease, people should follow a moderate diet, take regular exercise, get proper sleep and rest, limit fat intake, eat more fruits and green vegetables, stay away from cigarettes, and have vaccination against B hepatitis and cervical cancer, according to Dr Dang Huy Quoc Thinh, deputy director of the Oncology Hospital.