GE Healthcare, TD Medical and Vinmec Healthcare System are collaborating on a community outreach programme to offer free breast scans at 26 on-site screening centres across seven major cities in Viet Nam, with the aim of providing 8,000 free scans by the end of 2022.

The programme also marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, a worldwide health campaign observed by many countries around the world to increase awareness of the disease, including its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The centres, which are located within the vicinity of Vinhomes managed properties and Vinschool operated facilities in Ha Noi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, will also offer educational workshops on the importance of early diagnosis and regular self-examinations.

According to the World Health Organisation, 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, with 685,000 of them dying from the disease. Breast cancer is also the most common cancer among women in almost all countries within Asia, with Viet Nam alone reporting 21,500 new cases and 9,000 deaths in the same year.

“Vinmec Healthcare System is a leading hospital in Viet Nam with a dedicated breast cancer specialist clinic, and GE Healthcare is pleased to partner them with TD Medical to promote awareness of the disease and the importance of early detection and diagnosis,” said Pham Hong Son, country general manager for Viet Nam, GE Healthcare.

Le Thuy Anh, CEO of Vinmec Healthcare System, said: "Vinmec believes that providing information and early screening for breast cancer can help reduce the burden on patients and the community, increase treatment efficiency and improve the quality of life. By working with GE Healthcare and their partners on this initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and providing education workshops, we aim to improve the value and accessibility of quality healthcare for women and the community.” — VNS