Multiple small breast tumours measuring 7 mm and 3 mm were detected during a routine breast screening. What might have been devastating news became a stroke of luck for Mrs T.T.A., 61, from Ho Chi Minh City. Her breast cancer was found at an early stage, allowing for a prompt, effective treatment plan.

Escaping Advanced Breast Cancer Thanks to a Routine Check-up

In early October 2025, Mrs A visited FV Hospital for her annual health check-up. As a woman in the average-risk group, she was recommended to undergo a mammogram.

The mammogram revealed a 7 mm lesion in her left breast. Dr Phung Ngoc Thu, Specialist Level I – Head of the Breast Care Centre at FV Hospital, ordered an additional breast MRI scan because the patient had dense breast tissue. Through the MRI, Dr Thu identified a second small lesion measuring 3 mm.

“This 3 mm tumour was too small so it could not be shown on the mammogram. Even on MRI, its malignant characteristics were barely visible, which made it easy to miss,” Dr Thu explained.

Mrs A was shocked when the biopsy results confirmed that both small nodules were invasive breast cancer. Fortunately, Dr Thu highlighted the positive side of the circumstances: both tumours measured under 10 mm and had not spread to the surrounding area yet, consistent with early-stage disease (stage 1). This meant treatment could begin promptly with a high likelihood of success.

Mrs A underwent breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) followed by low-dose chemotherapy, with no further systemic chemotherapy required. Due to the short duration of the chemotherapy, Mrs A was able to return to her normal life.

“Proactive cancer screening plays a crucial role in preventing breast cancer. When detected early, breast cancer can immediately be treated gently with minimal invasion, helping patients to preserve the breast’s natural shape and significantly reducing treatment costs,” Dr Thu stated.

Proactive Cancer Screening: an Opportunity to Beat Cancer and Preserve the Breast

According to Dr Thu, breast cancer arises from multiple factors, including genetics and gene mutations, lifestyle and environmental factors, and biological influences. For example, women with dense breast tissue have a higher risk of developing the disease, up to five times the risk of women with non-dense breasts, and are also more likely to have false-negative mammogram results.

The key factor in overcoming breast cancer is early detection. At an initial stage, patients may only need the small tumour removed, preserving the breasts and enabling a quicker recovery. In later stages, treatment becomes more complex. At this stage, treatment will often involve a full mastectomy, high-dose radiotherapy, and chemotherapy which will bring greater side effects, higher costs, longer treatment time, and a larger impact on daily lives.

Statistics show that patients diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer have a five-year survival rate of up to 99 percent, while stage 1 exceeds 90 percent. In contrast, breast cancer survival rates in later stages can fall below 50 percent.

Dr Thu suggests that women should undergo regular breast cancer screening at medical facilities with advanced medical equipment and experienced specialists to proactively protect their health.

FV is among the few medical institutions with a dedicated Breast Care Center, providing comprehensive breast health services from screening and diagnosis to advanced multimodal treatment.

In addition to a team of highly experienced specialists with more than 20 years’ expertise in breast care, FV Hospital is fully equipped with modern machines to ensure accurate screening examination results:

• High-resolution advanced ultrasound: capable of detecting lesions as small as 3 mm.
• Latest generation of 3D mammography (breast X-ray):increases the rate of breast cancer detection by up to 40 percent.
• Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): offering the highest sensitivity among current screening methods, detecting cosmetic problems such as ruptured breast implants and abnormalities of the breast.
• Multi-method biopsy:when abnormalities are detected, patients are advised on the most appropriate biopsy method such as fine-needle aspiration, core-needle aspiration, vacuum-assisted biopsy, or wire localisation biopsy to accurately determine the nature of the lesion.

Breast Cancer Treatment at FV Hospital: Effective Multidisciplinary Collaboration

While early screening serves as the first line of defence against breast cancer, comprehensive and coordinated treatment is essential to help patients overcome this life-threatening disease.

The breast cancer treatment procedure at FV Hospital is systematically designed in collaboration between the Breast Care Centre and the Hy Vong Cancer Treatment Centre, one of the leading oncology centres in southern Vietnam.

According to Dr Basma M’Barek, Head of Hy Vong Cancer Treatment Centre, thousands of cancer patients have been successfully treated at FV Hospital thanks to the multidisciplinary model with prompt, accurate, and safe processes at every stage:

• No unnecessary delays:patients begin treatment immediately upon diagnosis to make full use of the “golden window” for cancer management.
• Accurate diagnosis:advanced imaging and histopathological testing are performed concurrently – a crucial factor in delivering personalised treatment.
• Specialised, aesthetic surgery: performed by one of Vietnam’s leading breast cancer surgeons with expertise in both oncology and reconstructive techniques.
• Personalised treatment protocols: each patient receives a customised care plan using advanced therapeutic methods such as next-generation hormone therapy, selective low-toxicity chemotherapy, heart- and lung-sparing radiotherapy, and targeted or immunotherapy when indicated.

“Over the past eight years, more than 2,000 patients treated at the Hy Vong Cancer Treatment Centre have avoided severe side effects, thanks to the use of advanced techniques designed to protect the heart, lungs, and nerves,” said Dr Basma.

FV offers combined payment options, state health insurance, private insurance, FV Priority Membership and 0 percent instalments to help significantly reduce costs.

For more information about breast cancer screening and treatment services, please contact FV Hospital, 06 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan My Ward (former District 7), Ho Chi Minh City or call the hotline (028) 3511 3333.