Situation of cancer and various environmental factors in 4 communes \u2013 Nha Trang city

ABSTRACT

Background: Nha Trang city located in central Viet Nam, has had dramatic economic development in recent years. The economic development has also leads to changes in the environment. Previous studies showed that cancers were closely related to environmental factors, but there was no study on this issue in Nha Trang city. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the cancer cases that were recorded in the cancer registration and the related environmental factors in Vinh Luong commune and the three neighborhood communes of Nha Trang city. Subjects and method: 192 patients who were diagnosed with cancer in the provincial general hospital and other hospitals from 1/1/2000 to 30/9/2006 and have resided in 4 above communes. Water samples collected from 14 water-wells from these communes were tested for chemical pollution and bacteria index. 20 sites in Van Dang village were tested for radioactive pollution levels. Results: Average crude morbidity of cancer per 100,000 inhabitants per year in Van Dang village and Vinh Luong commune and in the 4 communes as a whole, were 64.9, 51 and 53.3, respectively. The rates for male and female were 65.0 and 41.0, respectively. The most common cancers in women were cervical and breast cancers (11.8% and 9.2%, respectively). For men, leading cancers were liver cancer (31.9%) and lung cancer (14.7%). Almost all of the water samples did not meet the hygiene standard for nitrate (NO3) and coliform. Natural radioactive levels in these 4 communes were normal. Conclusion: Van Dang village had the highest cancer prevalence per 100,000 habitants compared to the other villages of Vinh Luong commune, but it was still lower than that of some other provinces. Most of the water samples collected from the water-wells did not met standard for nitrate levels and coliform.