Preventable colorectal cancer with 95% survival through early detection,
In order to raise public awareness of colorectal cancer, the Korean Society of Colorectal Proctology has designated September, which resembles the shape of the large intestine, as “The Month of Colon Awareness,” and held an annual event since 2007 to inform about colorectal cancer. In particular, Korea's colorectal cancer treatment results are very high, and the survival rate reaches 95% if detected early, but public interest in the cancer is low compared to the high incidence rate. I met Dr. Hwang Jae-gwan, Deputy Director of treatment at Hansol Hospital, a specialized hospital for colon and anus, who performs high-level surgeries such as ‘single-pass laparoscopy’ for colorectal cancer treatment.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of Hansol Hospital. Please tell me what differentiates Hansol Hospital from other specialized hospitals.
A. Deputy Director Hwang Jae-gwan of Hansol Hospital (hereafter Hwang Jae-gwan): Hansol Hospital started in 1990 when hospital director Lee Dong-geun opened the Dong-geun Lee Surgery Clinic in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Since then, it has been elevated to Hansol Hospital in 1998, selected as a surgical specialty hospital in 2005, selected as the first accredited institution among colorectal and anal specialty hospitals in 2012, and acquired first-class colorectal cancer adequacy evaluation this year. It has grown steadily for the last 30 years.
It focuses on the colon, anus, and digestive system with 20 specialists in gastroenterology, colon, and rectal surgery alone. This number is about the size of a university hospital. In addition, it is one of the leading hospitals in minimally invasive surgery by introducing laparoscopic surgery at an early stage. Among laparoscopic surgeries, single-pass laparoscopic surgery (surgery performed through a single hole in the belly button), which is the most difficult, is applied to appendicitis, cholelithiasis, hernia, and colon cancer.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: There are social campaigns for colorectal cancer awareness, such as designating September as ‘Colorectal Cancer Day’, but awareness of colorectal cancer is still low. What kind of disease is colon cancer?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among cancers, but compared to other cancers such as stomach cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer, it can be said that public interest is low. Colorectal cancer treatment in Korea has a 5-year survival rate of 75%, which is higher than that of advanced countries such as the United States. In particular, if detected early, the five-year survival rate increases to 95%.
Since colon cancer often develops into cancer by the growth of polyps, which can be said to be the seeds of colon cancer, several studies have proven that most colon cancers can be prevented by regularly performing colonoscopy and removing polyps. That is why early screening for colorectal cancer is important, and this is also the reason why colorectal cancer was included in the national cancer screening program early. Doctors in the field of colon and anus are working hard to instill awareness of ‘preventable cancer’ in the public.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: In addition to colorectal cancer, it seems that various colorectal diseases from late overeating/instant meals and reduced exercise can be increased at home due to COVID-19 virus. What diseases should I watch out for?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan: In addition to colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease is increasing in incidence. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are representative, intractable diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the large intestine. When complications such as bleeding or perforation occur, it is a disease that requires surgery to remove the entire large intestine. Recently, as new treatments have continued to be developed, the number of surgeries is decreasing compared to the past.
In the case of chronic constipation, which many people suffer from, if the number of bowel movements is less than three times a week, the stool is hard and it is difficult to defecate, or there is a feeling of a residual stool after defecation, self-diagnosis, and self-medication can lead to serious consequences.
It is an unchanging truth that wrong lifestyle and eating habits lead to disease. What you must keep for colon health is to have a fresh vegetarian diet and to do regular exercise. It's so obvious and knowing, but it's useless if you don't put it into practice.
Nowadays, it is easy to get lost in the flood of information such as the Internet and mass media. It is important not to be seduced by health supplements that are spreading like a fad, but to maintain an active life such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Also, do not forget to have regular colon examinations, especially colonoscopies. In particular, it is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy from the age of 40 to prevent colon cancer.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: Regarding the eating habits you mentioned, what foods are good for preventing colorectal and anal diseases?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : In the past, it was thought that the main function of the large intestine was to absorb moisture from food waste and convert it into feces and excrete it. Recently, research on bacteria living in the large intestine has been actively conducted, and a new perception of the role of "bacteria in the intestine" has been made. Therefore, for the balance of intestinal bacteria (an environment where beneficial bacteria outnumber harmful bacteria), it is recommended to consume lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) and prebiotics (dietary fiber, oligosaccharides) that help the growth of lactic acid bacteria.
For the prevention of colorectal cancer, it is recommended to consume at least 20g of dietary fiber, so eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that contain a lot of dietary fiber. When you eat meat, we recommend eating white meat such as chicken, fish, etc. rather than red meat such as beef and pork. In addition, regular exercise is known to reduce the risk of occurrence by 20%, so it is important to try to maintain your weight at a standard weight. If physically possible, exercise 5 times a week for 30 minutes or more per session to strengthen the cardiorespiratory function and prevent obesity.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: Many surgeries, such as hernia, gallstones, appendicitis, and other colonic and anal diseases, are performed using laparoscopic surgery. Compared to the past, how has the current surgical method changed?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : In 2001, Hansol Hospital introduced laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer for the first time in Korea. We have continued to lead the development of laparoscopic surgery techniques, such as holding an international symposium in the same year. In the past, surgery was performed with 3 or 4 holes in the abdomen, resulting in slow recovery and severe pain. There are still many places where the existing laparoscopic surgery is performed, but Hansol Hospital is currently performing single-pass laparoscopic surgery, which is the most difficult of all laparoscopic surgeries.
Since single-pass laparoscopic surgery is performed with a single hole (one hole), there are fewer surgical scars, and helps faster recovery. Accordingly, the hospitalization period is shorter than the past surgical methods, and the patient's satisfaction is high in terms of beauty because it is rarely marked after the surgical wound is healed. In particular, Hansol Hospital was selected by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service as the hospital with the shortest length of hospitalization for colorectal cancer in the country in 2010, which indicates of excellent effectiveness of single-pass laparoscopic surgery.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: What are your plans for the future and what would you like to say to patients who are reluctant to visit the hospital due to colorectal and anal diseases?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan: I have been living for 25 years as a surgeon. Not long ago, a person who had surgery almost 20 years ago visited me to say that he is living well thanks to me. I was encouraged to hear that. We promise to do our best for every person who always visits Hansol Hospital. Many people with colorectal and anal diseases, especially those with anal-related diseases, are worried alone, and many people are embarrassed even if they visit the hospital because it is a part that is difficult to show to others. It's a shame that it's easier to come to the hospital than in any other country in the world. Prevention is the best for all diseases, and early detection is second. The later it is, the more difficult the treatment becomes, so please go to a reliable hospital near you and show a specialist your sore spot.
A. Deputy Director Hwang Jae-gwan of Hansol Hospital (hereafter Hwang Jae-gwan): Hansol Hospital started in 1990 when hospital director Lee Dong-geun opened the Dong-geun Lee Surgery Clinic in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Since then, it has been elevated to Hansol Hospital in 1998, selected as a surgical specialty hospital in 2005, selected as the first accredited institution among colorectal and anal specialty hospitals in 2012, and acquired first-class colorectal cancer adequacy evaluation this year. It has grown steadily for the last 30 years.
It focuses on the colon, anus, and digestive system with 20 specialists in gastroenterology, colon, and rectal surgery alone. This number is about the size of a university hospital. In addition, it is one of the leading hospitals in minimally invasive surgery by introducing laparoscopic surgery at an early stage. Among laparoscopic surgeries, single-pass laparoscopic surgery (surgery performed through a single hole in the belly button), which is the most difficult, is applied to appendicitis, cholelithiasis, hernia, and colon cancer.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: There are social campaigns for colorectal cancer awareness, such as designating September as ‘Colorectal Cancer Day’, but awareness of colorectal cancer is still low. What kind of disease is colon cancer?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among cancers, but compared to other cancers such as stomach cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer, it can be said that public interest is low. Colorectal cancer treatment in Korea has a 5-year survival rate of 75%, which is higher than that of advanced countries such as the United States. In particular, if detected early, the five-year survival rate increases to 95%.
Since colon cancer often develops into cancer by the growth of polyps, which can be said to be the seeds of colon cancer, several studies have proven that most colon cancers can be prevented by regularly performing colonoscopy and removing polyps. That is why early screening for colorectal cancer is important, and this is also the reason why colorectal cancer was included in the national cancer screening program early. Doctors in the field of colon and anus are working hard to instill awareness of ‘preventable cancer’ in the public.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: In addition to colorectal cancer, it seems that various colorectal diseases from late overeating/instant meals and reduced exercise can be increased at home due to COVID-19 virus. What diseases should I watch out for?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan: In addition to colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease is increasing in incidence. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are representative, intractable diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the large intestine. When complications such as bleeding or perforation occur, it is a disease that requires surgery to remove the entire large intestine. Recently, as new treatments have continued to be developed, the number of surgeries is decreasing compared to the past.
In the case of chronic constipation, which many people suffer from, if the number of bowel movements is less than three times a week, the stool is hard and it is difficult to defecate, or there is a feeling of a residual stool after defecation, self-diagnosis, and self-medication can lead to serious consequences.
It is an unchanging truth that wrong lifestyle and eating habits lead to disease. What you must keep for colon health is to have a fresh vegetarian diet and to do regular exercise. It's so obvious and knowing, but it's useless if you don't put it into practice.
Nowadays, it is easy to get lost in the flood of information such as the Internet and mass media. It is important not to be seduced by health supplements that are spreading like a fad, but to maintain an active life such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Also, do not forget to have regular colon examinations, especially colonoscopies. In particular, it is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy from the age of 40 to prevent colon cancer.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: Regarding the eating habits you mentioned, what foods are good for preventing colorectal and anal diseases?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : In the past, it was thought that the main function of the large intestine was to absorb moisture from food waste and convert it into feces and excrete it. Recently, research on bacteria living in the large intestine has been actively conducted, and a new perception of the role of "bacteria in the intestine" has been made. Therefore, for the balance of intestinal bacteria (an environment where beneficial bacteria outnumber harmful bacteria), it is recommended to consume lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) and prebiotics (dietary fiber, oligosaccharides) that help the growth of lactic acid bacteria.
For the prevention of colorectal cancer, it is recommended to consume at least 20g of dietary fiber, so eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that contain a lot of dietary fiber. When you eat meat, we recommend eating white meat such as chicken, fish, etc. rather than red meat such as beef and pork. In addition, regular exercise is known to reduce the risk of occurrence by 20%, so it is important to try to maintain your weight at a standard weight. If physically possible, exercise 5 times a week for 30 minutes or more per session to strengthen the cardiorespiratory function and prevent obesity.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: Many surgeries, such as hernia, gallstones, appendicitis, and other colonic and anal diseases, are performed using laparoscopic surgery. Compared to the past, how has the current surgical method changed?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan : In 2001, Hansol Hospital introduced laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer for the first time in Korea. We have continued to lead the development of laparoscopic surgery techniques, such as holding an international symposium in the same year. In the past, surgery was performed with 3 or 4 holes in the abdomen, resulting in slow recovery and severe pain. There are still many places where the existing laparoscopic surgery is performed, but Hansol Hospital is currently performing single-pass laparoscopic surgery, which is the most difficult of all laparoscopic surgeries.
Since single-pass laparoscopic surgery is performed with a single hole (one hole), there are fewer surgical scars, and helps faster recovery. Accordingly, the hospitalization period is shorter than the past surgical methods, and the patient's satisfaction is high in terms of beauty because it is rarely marked after the surgical wound is healed. In particular, Hansol Hospital was selected by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service as the hospital with the shortest length of hospitalization for colorectal cancer in the country in 2010, which indicates of excellent effectiveness of single-pass laparoscopic surgery.
Q. MEDIEUS QUEEN: What are your plans for the future and what would you like to say to patients who are reluctant to visit the hospital due to colorectal and anal diseases?
A. Hwang Jae-gwan: I have been living for 25 years as a surgeon. Not long ago, a person who had surgery almost 20 years ago visited me to say that he is living well thanks to me. I was encouraged to hear that. We promise to do our best for every person who always visits Hansol Hospital. Many people with colorectal and anal diseases, especially those with anal-related diseases, are worried alone, and many people are embarrassed even if they visit the hospital because it is a part that is difficult to show to others. It's a shame that it's easier to come to the hospital than in any other country in the world. Prevention is the best for all diseases, and early detection is second. The later it is, the more difficult the treatment becomes, so please go to a reliable hospital near you and show a specialist your sore spot.
#Medius#Interview#ColonelAnal Surgery#Hansol Hospital#Hwang Jae-Gwan#Colon cancer#Inflammatory growth disease#ulcerative colitis#polyps#laparoscopic surgery# Colonoscopy#Colonoscopy#Korean RenowedDoctor#RenownedDoctorInterview#RenownedDoctorRecommendation#RenownedDoctor #Interview#MDUS
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