보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Toward a Cancer-Free Society Through Cancer Prevention

 

- Cancer Prevention Day Ceremony Recognizes

98 Outstanding Contributors with Government Commendations -

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Cho KyooHong) hosted the 18th Cancer Prevention Day ceremony on Friday, March 21, at 10 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Westin Josun Seoul. Approximately 300 attendees, including individuals who have made significant contributions to cancer prevention, representatives from cancer-related organizations, and local government officials, gathered to commemorate the occasion.

 

* (Background) Cancer Prevention Day was established to promote the understanding that one-third of cancer cases can be prevented through proactive measures, one-third can be cured through early detection and treatment, and the remaining one-third can be effectively managed with appropriate care. This "3-2-1 principle,” proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), led to the official designation of March 21 as Cancer Prevention Day under Article 4 of the Cancer Control Act (enacted on October 27, 2006).

 

The event was divided into two parts: Part 1, the Cancer Prevention Day ceremony, including the awarding of government commendation to distinguished contributors, and Part 2, a competition showcasing best practices in the the National Cancer Control Program.

 

In parallel, 13 Regional Cancer Centers across the country conducted related campaigns before and after the main event, including recognizing outstanding contributors, promoting cancer prevention guidelines, and raising awareness about the National Cancer Screening Program within their respective communities.

 

During the official ceremony, a total of 98 individuals were recognized for their contributions to cancer prevention and management, including 11 recipients of government awards* and 87 honorees receiving Ministerial Commendations from the MOHW.

 

* 1 recipient of the Order of Service Merit, 2 recipients of the Civil Merit Medal, 3 recipients of the Presidential Commendation, and 5 recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation

 

Lee WooYong, Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Samsung Medical Center, was awarded the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit in recognition of his 36 years of dedicated research, which has significantly advanced academic progress in the fight against colorectal cancer. In particular, he has led multidisciplinary treatment efforts and initiatives to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, playing a pivotal role in elevating his institution to first place in Asia and third globally in the 2024 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for Oncology ranking.

 

Eom HyeonSeok, Director of the National Cancer Center Hospital, received the Civil Merit Medal for establishing a blood cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation system and for achieving 1,000 successful hematopoietic stem cell transplants, significantly contributing to the treatment of patients with severe cancers.

 

Kim NamHun, Executive Director of Benefit at the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), was awarded the Civil Merit Medal for his contributions as a member of the National Cancer Control Committee. He has played a key role in improving the cancer screening system, enhancing the evaluation system for screening institutions, and significantly alleviating financial burden on cancer patients through special benefit policies and catastrophic medical expense support programs.

 

Additionally, the Presidential Commendation was awarded to Professor Lee WoonKi of Gachon University, Professor Song ChiWon of Cheju Halla General Hospital (CHH), and Kim JeongHee, Deputy Director of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Provincial Office, in recognition of their contributions to cancer prevention and the advancement of the National Cancer Control Program.

 

Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s Commendation was awarded to Choi SeokYeong, Head of the Cancer Control Support Team at the National Cancer Center, Jeong SeungJin, Director of the Health Promotion Center at Gimpo Woori Hospital, Professor Lee ChoRok of Yongin Severance Hospital, Kim YeongAe, Deputy Director of Daegu Metropolitan Government, and the Korea Cancer Patients’ Rights Council (KCPRC) for their active engagement in cancer prevention and treatment at local healthcare institutions and municipal governments.

 

Meanwhile, the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Korea in 2022 was 282,047, representing a decrease of 154 cases compared to 2021. When adjusted for the world standard population*, Korea’s cancer incidence rate stood at 287 cases per 100,000 people, which is lower than that of the United States (367 cases) and the United Kingdom (307.8 cases). The cancer mortality rate in Korea was 77 deaths per 100,000 people―the lowest among major comparator countries**.

 

* This figure is age-standardized using the world standard population as the reference to facilitate comparisons across regions with different age structures and over time

** Japan: 78.6 deaths per 100,000 people; United Kingdom: 98.3; United States: 82.3

 

Additionally, the five-year relative survival rate for cancer patients in Korea reached 72.9% for the period 2018–2022, marking a 18.7 percentage point increase compared to 54.2% for 2001–2005, demonstrating a continuous upward trend.

 

* (2001–2005) 54.2% → (2006–2010) 65.5% → (2011–2015) 70.8% → (2018–2022) 72.9%

 

Korea’s high cancer survival rate can be attributed to the outcomes of the National Cancer Control Program, which is based on advanced cancer statistics. Contributing factors include cancer prevention efforts, advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment technologies, and the early detection of cancer through increased participation in the national cancer screeing program. This achievement is the result of the collective efforts of healthcare professionals dedicated to cancer treatment and research, officials involved in the National Cancer Control Program, and the active participation of the public in cancer prevention activities such as national cancer screenings.

Jung YoonSoon, Deputy Minister for Healthcare Policy, expressed his respect and gratitude during the commemorative speech at the event, saying, “Thanks to the dedication of medical professionals, researchers, and officials involved in the national cancer control program across the country, Korea has been able to achieve world-class cancer control.” He also emphasized, “Cancer is a preventable disease, and early detection greatly increases the chances of a full recovery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular screenings are essential.”

 

Following the first part of the event, a Best Practices Competition for the National Cancer Control Program was held to share achievements and successful case studies.

 

During the competition, 14 organizations received awards from the Minister of Health and Welfare for their exemplary contributions. Among them, the Yeonsu-gu Public Health Center in Incheon was recognized as a best practice case for its efforts in implementing a targeted screening responsibility program for its efforts to improve screening participation through a follow-up initiative targeting non-participants, as well as for its proactive community outreach and awareness campaigns. The event also served as a platform for presenting and sharing these best practices.

 

The best practices presented at the event will be compiled into a publication titled Best Practices of the National Cancer Control Program. This document will be available on the National Cancer Information Center website (www.cancer.go.kr).///