"Stomach cancer is still too common"... What eating habits must be changed?

The main reason for the high incidence of stomach cancer among Asians... "Salted foods have a significant impact"

According to the National Cancer Institute, stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and it is more prevalent in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin American countries than in the United States and other Western countries. Countries with dietary habits that include less consumption of salted foods, smoked foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables have a higher risk of stomach cancer. In particular, Asians are known to have a higher incidence of stomach cancer because they consume a lot of salted vegetables and fish.

Just adding salt to the seolleongtang without thinking? ... Who is the person adjusting the flavor with the kimchi next to it?

For health reasons, you need to eat salt as well. However, the problem is that Koreans are consuming 2 to 3 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) daily recommended amount (5g). When ordering seolleongtang at a restaurant, some people recklessly add salt first. On the other hand, a doctor in charge of chronic kidney disease said that they adjust the seasoning with the nearby kkakdugi. This is because they know that excessive salt intake increases the risk of developing health problems. While caring for dialysis and kidney transplant patients every day, they emphasize that "the doctor in charge must not develop kidney disease," and are cautious about their eating habits. They point out that there is no need to add a lot of salt when kimchi and kkakdugi, which are salted with salt, are already next to them.

Still too many stomach cancer cases... 23,361 people were diagnosed in 2021 alone.

According to the 2023 December announcement of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Central Cancer Registration Board's National Cancer Registration Statistics, there were 29,361 new cases of stomach cancer in 2021. Women who smoke and drink less account for nearly 10,000 patients (9,828). Men number 19,533. Patients in their 50s and 60s make up 50.6%. The percentages for the 60s, 70s, and 50s are 31.5%, 25.8%, and 19.1%, respectively. Poor eating habits accumulated from their 20s cause damage to the stomach lining and promote the growth of cancer cells in the mucous membrane.

Processed foods and processed meats are also risk factors... What if several people shared a stew together?

Stomach cancer is a risk factor not only for salty foods but also for charred foods. Carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines and benzo[a]pyrene cause cancer mutations in stomach cells. According to the National Cancer Information Center, preservatives like nitrites and nitrates added to processed meats such as sausages, ham, and bacon may also be involved in the carcinogenic process. The culture of sharing a single stew among many people can transmit Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Having two family members with stomach cancer is due not only to genetics but also to sharing the same eating habits. To prevent stomach cancer, it is advisable to avoid salty foods, spoiled foods, processed meats, and charred foods from a young age.

Stomach cancer also has a higher mortality rate if detected late... What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of stomach cancer include heartburn, indigestion, discomfort, bloating, pain in the upper abdomen, weight loss, and anemia. In the early stages, there are almost no symptoms. Some people only take medication for indigestion and unknowingly worsen the disease. The fact that stomach cancer ranks fifth in mortality after lung, liver, colon, and pancreatic cancers is often because it is diagnosed late. Health insurance subscribers over 40 years old can undergo an upper endoscopy every two years. Upper endoscopy is the most reliable method for preventing and early detection of stomach cancer. If there is a history of stomach cancer among parents, siblings, or relatives, extra caution is necessary.