KOREA Smat care, smart choice stomach cancer
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Stomach cancer or gastric cancer is the second most common cancer in the
world and the most common cancer in Korea. The cancer was considered a death
sentence because it was a disease that could not be eradicated even 30 years
ago. With the rapid development of treatment technologies, however, the death
rate for stomach cancer has significantly declined.
The cancer usually occurs
between the ages of 40 to 60 and women are twice as likely to contract the
cancer than men are. The cancer is divided into four stages based on its stage
of development. Detection of stomach cancer in the early stage is vital because
a 5 year survival rate is at 95% when it is found at this stage.
The best
way to treat the cancer is gastric resection. Recently, in consideration of the
patient’s quality of life after surgery, gastric resections are performed on a
minimal part of the organ; while maximizing the function of the remaining
sections of the stomach. In the early stage, cancer cells can be removed with an
endoscope which results in less bleeding and a faster recovery.
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Globally speaking, stomach cancer is the most common in Korea. However, Korea
also has the most effective treatment for the cancer. Today, Korea is in the
world’s limelight because of its excellent stomach cancer treatment. According
to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) data published by the
Korean government, which is based on publications from other countries, the
survival rate for stomach cancer in Korea is at 64.2%, higher than Japan (56.6%)
and the U.S. (52.1%). The April 2010 issue of the 『Annals of Surgery』, a
world-renowned medical journal, said that the Catholic University of Korea,
Seoul St. Mary's Hospital showed a 30% higher survival rate for stomach cancer
than the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in the U.S. The results
are from an international joint study on stomach cancer treatments from the two
hospitals above. The study also compared a 5 year survival rate of 711 patients
treated at MSKCC and 1,646 patients from the Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
which showed an 81% survival rate, higher than the 58% found in the U.S.
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It is not just statistical data that proves Korea has excellent stomach
cancer treatments. Other countries are learning about Korea’s treatment
technology. Korea has a high-level of stomach cancer treatment technologies
thanks to the continuous competition and research that exist among medical
institutions in Korea. Moreover, doctors from other countries visit Korea to
learn about its treatment technologies as case after case have proved Korea’s
excellent surgical results.
The anti-cancer treatment that is performed by
Korean doctors was registered as a global guideline this June. A joint research
team comprised of doctors from the Seoul National University Hospital and the
Severance Hospital conducted a 3 year clinical test on an anti-cancer drug
(developed by Sanofi-Aventis) that is used after stomach cancer surgery.
Patients who were treated with the drug showed a 14% higher survival rate than
those who didn’t take the drug and the results were registered as a guideline by
the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The NCCN guideline is the most
authoritative reference for countries when they prepare guidelines for
diagnosing and treating cancer.
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Dmitri Lipin (male, aged 38) who works as a seaman for 15 years in
Vladivostok, Russia had to stay overseas for a long period of time due to work.
He, therefore, had irregular eating patterns which resulted in bloating and
stomachaches from time to time. He did not think much about this problem as it
was not unusual; and he did not visit a doctor because he wanted to spend time
with his family when he got home.
However, he lost a lot of weight in a few
months, broke out in a cold sweat at night and had severe stomachaches. So, he
paid a visit to the doctor’s with his wife. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer
which he did not expect. He looked into hospitals in Thailand, Israel and
Moscow. Finally, he was introduced to Inha University Hospital in Korea by an
acquaintance who received treatment there.
Before he came to Korea, Dmitri
made a reservation for an examination and treatment, and when he arrived he
received a gastroscopy, PET-CT and bone scan. After a thorough examination, he
was told that the cancer had not spread to other parts of his body and that he
needed surgery. He received a gastric resection followed by 6 rounds of
anti-cancer treatments, after which his white blood cell and platelet levels
returned to normal. The PET-CT showed that he was cured without
metastasis.
Currently, Dmitri is working as a seaman again. He said, “After I
came back to Russia, I could still check on my condition with my doctor at Inha
University Hospital through the phone and email, which made me so relieved. I
have fully recovered from the cancer and can work as a seaman again thanks to
the hospital’s staff members.”
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Inha University Hospital is specialized in cancer treatments. Recently, the
hospital was ranked first in stomach cancer, colorectal cancer and liver cancer
surgeries as evaluated according to death rates from cancer surgeries by the
Korean government evaluation institution. The hospital also recorded the lowest
rate of complications. Inha University Hospital is conveniently located for
international patients as it is in Incheon where the international airport is
located. The hospital runs a medical center that is 560㎡ in size and is within
the airport terminal.
Esa Mohammad Ali (male, aged 70) from Dubai received endoscopic therapy at
the ASAN Medical Center to treat his benign gastro esophageal tumor. He took a
biopsy after the endoscopic therapy and found that the cancer had spread to his
stomach. He was told that he should get his stomach and lymph node removed.
However, it was difficult for him to decide whether or not to get the surgery
since he was old and was suffering from Evans syndrome (a rare autoimmune
disease), diabetes, a chronic liver disorder and high blood pressure.
He
first returned to Dubai to find a world-class hospital that should deliver the
best results. He consulted with his doctor at Rashid Hospital, the best hospital
in Dubai, which is part of the Dubai Government Dubai Health Authority. But in
the end Mr. Ali chose ASAN Medical Center.
Evans syndrome is an autoimmune
disease in which an individual's antibodies attack their own red and white blood
cells and platelets. A surgery on a patient with this syndrome can cause
excessive bleeding or an infection, so laparoscopic surgery with minimal
bleeding and pain is better than a laparotomy. ASAN Medical Center has performed
the highest number of laparoscopic surgery for stomach cancers in the world.
This is why in the end Ali chose ASAN hospital, for the hospital’s rich
experience in performing advanced techniques and for offering excellent care to
its patients. The surgery went well and, fortunately, the cancer did not spread
to other organs. He is now recovering quickly.
Mr. Ali said that “it was not
difficult for me to choose the hospital because I had experienced the systematic
treatment when I had came to the hospital initial to treat my tumor. It was
amazing that the surgery left little scarring and the pain was not severe.”
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ASAN Medical Center offers excellent cancer surgeries and organ transplants.
The hospital has performed the highest number of surgeries for the most common
cancers in Korea and treats around 10% of the cancer patients in the nation.
More than 300 doctors visit the hospital from abroad to learn about its surgical
techniques. ASAN Medical Center runs an integrated treatment system through
which internal and surgical specialists treat cancer patients together in a
partnership.
The known methods for preventing stomach cancer can be summarized as
follows.
First, you need to avoid carcinogens such as salty or burnt foods.
It is good to have your food as bland as possible and avoid rotten or burnt
foods.
Second, you need to eat enough green vegetables and fruits with
Vitamin C. It is important to have enough fresh fruits and vegetables in order
to prevent stomach cancer through your diet. People who eat antioxidant-rich
green vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots and bell peppers
can reduce the chance of contracting stomach cancer by 50% to 65%.
Last but
not least, it is vital to have regular stomach checkups for an early diagnosis.
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