Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Korea Tops in Breast Cancer Deaths
South Korea marked the world's highest mortality rate for female breast cancer patients aged 25-49.
by Bae Keun-min, Korea times (March 29, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200503/kt2005032917312653460.htm

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

Not enough kimchi...

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I noticed it was
1.Korea
2.China
3.Japan.

Asians and breast cancer don't mix to well.

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

you'd think the more well-endowed countries would have the highest rates eh?

I wonder what it all means.

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

Genetic? Or maybe its a diet thing...

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

I have a longstanding theory/fantasy that lung cancer is caused by the gas used in cigarette lighters, but no-one has thought to check.

Could be diet, could be.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Deconstructor · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Location: Canada

It's probably, at least partly, stress. Koreans go about their daily toil better than anyone.

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

Somewhere I thought I heard something like....if you are at a high risk for any kind of "estrogen" related (breast, cervical, ovarian, etc) cancer that you should avoid any kind of ginseng and soy products. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I vaguely remember my cousins wife was diagnosed with a very rare form of uterin cancer, and I thought she told me that her doctor told her to avoid anything that contained ginseng and soy because they act like estrogen and actually "feed" the cancer.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

Hope · Joined: 22 Nov 2003

I think that it is possible that lack of education in early detection of breast cancer may account for the high rate of mortality in Korea. Morality rates in Canada from breast cancer have been the lowest since 1950. Female students in Canada are taught how to perform regular breast self-examinations and doctors encourage annual examinations...along with pap tests. I have found that many of my female Korean friends have never had a pap test unless they are having a child. Unfortunately, Koreans (and Asians) inability to talk openly about their bodies and sexuality may be one of the reasons for the high rate.