A mobile mammography truck, equipped with a MAMMOMAT Fusion from Siemens Healthineers, is being deployed at the front of the Deutsches Haus in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, to offer free breast cancer screening for over 400 participants.

The mobile mammography truck is expected to perform about 400 screening sections during the six-day event. Photo: Mimosa

Participants in the camp will be put through a screening process that guarantees high discretion, privacy, and data protection, from registration to screening to consulting.

The joint initiative between Siemens Healthineers and EMCAS Hospital Joint Stock Company, with support from the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, German Industry and Commerce, and Deutsches Haus, aims to improve accessibility to breast cancer screening in Vietnam.

Organisers also hope to promote routine breast screening, raise breast cancer awareness, and improve access to breast cancer care in Vietnam.

Various delegates at the press conference to launch the breast screening camp. Photo: Mimosa

“Many of us personally know women who have struggled with breast cancer. The good news is that treatment and survival rates are very encouraging if diagnosed early. But unfortunately, far too many lives of loved ones are still lost by lack of early detection. From my own experience amongst friends and family, I can only encourage all women to go for periodic screening,” said Dr. Josefine Wallat, consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Siemens Healthineers is a leading healthcare provider with the most advanced best-in-class healthcare technology. I particularly appreciate the cooperation between Siemens Healthineers and EMCAS by bringing the latest technologies to Vietnam, thereby providing better detection and treatment for patients and improving the Vietnamese healthcare system. The cooperation between Siemens Healthineers and EMCAS is an important example of how the bilateral cooperation between our countries can be truly lifesaving,” Wallat added.

Fabian Martin Singer, head of product and sales, Siemens Healthineers in Vietnam, said: “The incidence rate and prevalence of breast cancer have grown exponentially worldwide, and that is due to many factors like ageing, lack of physical activities, diet, and other genetic factors."

"If it's not detected early, we cannot treat it effectively, so early detection is key. However, there is a lack of awareness in Vietnam regarding breast cancer screening and its benefits. Only a few patients utilise modern techniques like digital mammography, detecting tumours early for more effective treatment,” said Singer. “Being a leading medical technology company, it is the responsibility of Siemens Healthineers to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible and available to all, no matter where they live. With this mobile mammography truck, we are creating awareness and making screening accessible to diagnose breast cancer, one of the most threatening diseases among women in Vietnam.”

Dr. Pham Xuan Khiem, director of EMCAS Hospital said: “The prevalence of breast cancer in Vietnam has increased exponentially in recent years, and it is critical for women in our local communities to be aware of this disease and receive the right medical screening and treatment. We are thankful to our partners who have come forward to support this breast screening camp in Ho Chi Minh City.”

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the most common cancer overall. Vietnam recorded more than 21,500 breast cancer cases, with more than 9,000 deaths in 2020. The trend is predicted to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2040.

EMCAS intends to hold 11 more screening camps in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 to raise public awareness about breast cancer. Information about EMCAS Hospital is available emcas.vn.