Cancer Causes 10 Times More Deaths Than Traffic Accidents
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Every year, 139.5 per every 100,000 people die in Korea due to cancer, making it the largest cause of death besides old age.
The Ministry for Health and Welfare said Sunday that about 65,000 people died from cancer last year, about 10 times higher than the total number of deaths from traffic accidents at 14.7 deaths per 100,000.
Lung cancer took the lion's share at 29.9, followed by cancer of the liver, stomach, colon, pancreas, breast and blood.
Cancer of all forms was more common in men ― the average figure marked 176.9 for them compared to 101.9 for women.
However, the chances of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime were higher among females (3.45 percent) than males (2.02 percent).
The ministry noted that most women diagnosed with cancer have breast, cervical or thyroid tumors, which if detected early enough have a better survival rate.
Deaths linked to cancer jumped from 122.9 in 2001 to 130.1 in 2003 and 137.5 in 2007, despite recent medical breakthroughs.
Prof. Noh Sung-hoon, former director of the Yonsei Severance Hospital, told The Korea Times that the deaths were in some respects inevitable since cancer is mostly an aging disease.
``The longer you live, the more likely that you will get cancer in your lifetime. We are living in an aging society, looking up to a lifespan of 80 years in the near future.
``Also, the change of diet ― more fatty and meaty foods ― contribute to the increase number," he said. He advised people to get regular health checkups for early screening leading to successful treatment.
He also advised people to refrain from smoking and absorbing second-hand smoke, to eat as much fruit and vegetables as possible, to avoid eating salty foods, to limit alcohol intake to less than two glasses per session and to exercise for more than 30 minutes at least five times a week.