Ministry of Health accelerates research and tightens control on cancer risk factors

Addressing the concerns of Da Nang city voters regarding the rising cancer incidence rates in recent years, the Ministry of Health has provided an official response outlining research pathways and management solutions to protect public health.

According to the Ministry of Health, cancer etiology involves a complex combination of factors. Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry noted that environmental factors such as air pollution, toxic chemicals, and occupational conditions play a significant role in non-communicable diseases, with approximately 6.7 million global deaths annually linked to air pollution.

To meet practical requirements, the Ministry of Health affirms it will focus on national-level scientific and technological tasks. For the 2024 - 2025 period, the Ministry is implementing a project to establish basic biochemical indices of environmental toxicology for the Vietnamese working-age population. The project aims to create a scientific basis for diagnosis, early prevention, and the formulation of appropriate health policies.

Regarding food safety, the Ministry of Health continues to rigorously enforce the 2010 Food Safety Law. The Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment under the National Institute for Food Control has been established to enhance monitoring capacity, sampling, and community warnings.

In the near future, the Ministry of Health will intensify post-market surveillance, with a particular focus on business activities on e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces. Furthermore, the Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to strictly handle violations, ensure transparency in administrative penalties, and prioritize amending the Food Safety Law to increase enforcement power and effectively protect public health.