By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Cancer is still the No.1. cause of death in Korea, but regular check-ups and treatment can reduce its impact, the Korean Cancer Organization said Friday. On the first Cancer Prevention Day designated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, experts said one of the best ways to prevent the disease is to exercise regularly. ``Many people think maintaining a healthy diet is the only way, but regular exercise can be even better,'' its spokesman said. Daily exercise lowers the chance of getting cancer of the large intestine, breast, thyroid, or cervix by 20 to 30 percent. Especially for cancer of the large intestine, the rate drops by 20 to 30 percent for men and 40 percent for women. However, according to a government research, not even half of Korean adults exercise once a week. ``They know exercise is good for health, but not this good,'' ministry official Kim Doo-su said. Dr. Lim Min-kyoung of the National Cancer Center said people can do simple things like using the stairs or walking short distances for exercise. ``The international medical field considers exercise even more effective than eating organic vegetables,'' she said. Also, practicing safe sex will help prevent cervical or liver cancer, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2005, 65,479 Koreans died of cancer. Lung, liver, stomach, large intestine, pancreas, gall, gullet and prostate cancer, as well as leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were the most diagnosed. The ten steps recommended to prevent cancer are: Quit smoking or avoid second-hand smoking; eat a balanced meal with lots of vegetables and fruit; reduce sodium intake (less than 5 grams of salt a day is recommended) and don't eat the food if its burnt; drink less than two glasses of alcohol per day; exercise regularly; keep in shape; get a preventive inoculation of hepatitis B; practice safe sex; use masks and other forms of protection at workplaces exposed to carcinogenic substance and have regular health checks. ``According to our research, 84 percent of 1,000 adults surveyed said cancer can be prevented and cured, but only 55 percent were following more than six of these directions. Also, those who get regular check-ups, maintain a balanced diet and not smoke amounted to a mere 7.6 percent,'' health ministry official Kim said. bjs@koreatimes.co.kr