Cervical Cancer Kills 2,472 Vietnamese Women Annually

Each year, 5,664 new cases of cervical cancer are recorded in Vietnam and nearly 2,500 women have died of the disease, said Luu Thi Hong, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Department under the Ministry of Health. Health experts said cervical cancer could be prevented through intervention and treatment programmes. Cervical cancer is detected in groups that practice unsafe sex, smoke, use contraceptives for an extended period or live with the HIV virus or chronic diseases. The Ministry of Health and relevant bodies will promote communication campaigns to enhance the awareness of the reproductive cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancers among teenagers and adolescents. It is estimated that some 528,000 new cervical cancer cases are announced annually around the world, claiming the lives of 266,000 women each year. (cand.com.vn Dec 21, vietnamplus.vn Dec 21)