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Prostate cancer has surpassed lung and stomach cancer to become the most common cancer among men in South Korea.
According to statistics recently released by the Korean Urological Oncology Society, there were approximately 23,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the country as of 2023.
This figure represents a 2.2-fold increase compared to just 10 years ago.
Accounting for 15% of all male cancer patients, it has overtaken both lung and stomach cancer, which had previously held the top spots.
A characteristic of prostate cancer is that its incidence rate rises sharply with age.
The upward trend becomes evident from the age of 50, with a rapid surge in patients among the elderly population aged 60 and older.
The biggest problem is that there are almost no symptoms in the early stages, making it easy for the disease to progress undetected.
However, if detected in the early stage when the cancer is confined to the prostate, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 95%.
Ultimately, how quickly the disease is detected when there are no symptoms is the key factor that determines the prognosis.
A point of concern is that this test is still excluded from the national cancer screening program.
Since individuals must feel the need for it and pay for the test out-of-pocket, diagnostic opportunities vary depending on income levels.
In fact, an analysis of the statistics showed that the crude incidence rate of prostate cancer among the highest-income group was seven times higher than that of the lowest-income group.
Professor Lee Seung-hwan of the Department of Urology at Severance Hospital pointed out, "The survival rate and quality of life for prostate cancer patients vary significantly depending on whether it is detected early."
He added, "Discussions on national-level early screening should no longer be delayed."
Risk factors for the disease in daily life are also relatively clear.
The incidence rate was higher in men with metabolic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, as well as those with abdominal obesity or a lack of exercise.
In particular, long-term smokers who have smoked for more than 30 years showed a 5.3-fold higher incidence rate compared to those who have smoked for a shorter period.
Jung Byung-chang, President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society, explained, "Regular check-ups during the asymptomatic stage determine the success or failure of early detection and treatment."
He further urged, "Policy support is needed so that citizens can receive screenings regardless of their economic circumstances."
(Photo courtesy of the Korean Urological Oncology Society, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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