Vietnam Should Invest in Proton Therapy System to Improve Cancer Treatment
Vietnam should invest in proton therapy systems to not only address the limitations of traditional radiation therapy in cancer treatment but also reduce the necessity for domestic patients to seek treatment abroad, suggested Professor Michael Wang of the National Cancer Center of Singapore.
Mr. Wang highlighted proton therapy as an advanced cancer treatment method capable of minimizing common side effects associated with traditional radiation therapy. Developed nations such as the U.S., Europe, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore have established numerous proton therapy centers.
He assessed Vietnam's equipment systems and the expertise of its cancer treatment workforce as comparable to leading countries in the region and the world. Consequently, Vietnam has the capacity to develop and apply modern technologies like proton therapy to enhance cancer treatment efficiency. This could also attract patients from neighboring countries to seek treatment in Vietnam.
Vietnam has faced a high cancer mortality rate regionally and globally due to late-stage diagnoses and treatment, according to medical professionals.
Statistics from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) for 2022 showed that Vietnam records 180,400 new cancer cases and over 120,000 cancer-related deaths annually.