KMI Hanguk Medical Research Institute Early Detected 2,222 Cancer Cases Last Year

Analysis of 1,137,023 Screening Participants
Thyroid Cancer > Stomach Cancer > Colorectal Cancer > Breast Cancer Order

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] KMI Korea Medical Institute announced on the 15th that it detected a total of 2,222 cases of cancer early through health checkups last year.

Last year, a total of 1,137,023 people underwent health checkups at KMI, among whom 26,184 were suspected of having severe diseases including cancer and were referred to advanced medical institutions for further examination. Among them, 2,222 cases were finally confirmed as cancer.

The number of cancer diagnoses through KMI was ▲1,360 cases in 2015 ▲1,600 cases in 2016 ▲1,478 cases in 2017 ▲1,629 cases in 2018 ▲1,900 cases in 2019 ▲1,937 cases in 2020, and last year increased by 14.7% (285 cases) compared to the previous year. Over the past 10 years, a total of 17,284 cancer cases have been diagnosed through KMI health checkups.

The most common type of cancer detected last year was thyroid cancer with 824 cases (37.1%). This was followed by stomach cancer with 367 cases (16.5%), colorectal cancer with 301 cases (13.5%), and breast cancer with 214 cases (9.6%). Threatening cancers such as lung cancer (64 cases), which ranks first in mortality among Koreans, liver cancer (33 cases), and pancreatic cancer (18 cases) were also diagnosed in significant numbers.

Among men, out of 1,112 cases, thyroid cancer was the most common with 362 cases (32.6%), followed by stomach cancer with 251 cases (22.3%), colorectal cancer with 194 cases (17.4%), prostate cancer with 61 cases (5.5%), kidney cancer with 53 cases (4.8%), lung cancer with 45 cases (4.0%), and liver cancer with 29 cases (2.6%).

Among women, out of 1,110 cases, thyroid cancer was the most common with 462 cases (41.6%), followed by breast cancer with 214 cases (19.3%), stomach cancer with 116 cases (10.5%), colorectal cancer with 107 cases (9.6%), uterine cancer with 92 cases (8.3%), kidney cancer with 24 cases (2.2%), and lung cancer with 19 cases (1.7%).

By age group, the 40s accounted for the highest number of cancer diagnoses with 561 cases (25.2%), followed by the 50s with 505 cases (22.7%). Among those diagnosed with cancer, people in their 30s and 20s were also confirmed with 477 cases (21.5%) and 119 cases (5.4%) respectively, indicating that comprehensive cancer screening is necessary even for younger age groups.

Shin Sang-yeop, a standing research fellow at KMI and an infectious disease specialist, said, "Early detection is crucial for severe diseases including cancer. Especially for those with a family history of cancer or unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive drinking, regular health checkups are very helpful. Considering the impact of COVID-19, the screening period for those who missed the national health checkup (general and cancer) last year has been temporarily extended until June 30, so eligible individuals should not delay their checkups."

KMI Korea Medical Institute, established in 1985, operates health screening centers in seven locations nationwide: three in Seoul (Gwanghwamun, Yeouido, Gangnam) and four in other regions (Suwon, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.