Female breast cancer in Vietnam: a comparison across Asian specific regions

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies and the leading cause of cancer death of women over the world. A large number of females with breast cancer in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian (SEA) countries present at an early age with more aggressive tumors compared with women in Australia. Despite experiencing a low incidence rate, the increasing incidence rate among SEA countries exceeds that of the Westernized world. Changes in reproductive factors, environmental exposures, and lifestyle are the possible causes of this trend. However, limited evidence shows that these factors are associated with breast cancer in the Vietnamese population. Breast cancer incidence rates within Vietnam are not uniform and appear to be dependent on geographic location. Findings from this review have important implications for breast cancer control and treatment in Vietnam. A good understanding of the morphology of the breast and the type and nature of breast cancers presenting in Vietnam is required to facilitate the introduction of an effective national breast screening program.

Keywords: Australia; Breast cancer; Southeast Asia (SEA); Vietnam.

Figure 1

Comparison of breast cancer incidence rates in Vietnam and other SEA countries between 2002 and 2012 (Sources: GLOBOCAN and Australia Department of Health⁷). SEA, Southeast Asia.

Figure 2

Distribution of breast cancer incidence rates among age groups in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city^,.