Necessity for a National Carcinogen List in Korea, Based on International Harmonization.
- Author:
Jong Han LEEM
1
;
Hwan Cheol KIM
;
Myungsook PARK
;
Jung Ae KIM
;
Shin Bum KIM
;
Mina HA
;
Min Kyeong LIM
;
Jeongseon KIM
;
Eun Young PARK
;
Domyung PAEK
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. ekeeper@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Cancer control;
Collaborative risk management;
National carcinogen list;
Primary prevention
- MeSH:
Cause of Death;
Developed Countries;
Jurisprudence;
Korea*;
Primary Prevention;
Standard of Care;
Survival Rate
- From:Environmental Health and Toxicology
2013;28(1):e2013008-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Korea for the last 30 years. Cancer patients' 5-year survival rate between 2005 and 2009 was 62.0%, representing a highly advanced standard of care, as much as developed countries in the EU and the US. The Korean government formulated its first 10-year plan for cancer control in 1996 and has been carrying out a second 10-year plan for cancer control since 2006. But despite the Korean government's efforts, the cancer burden in Korea continues to increase. Many separate laws have gone into effect concerning the management of carcinogen exposure. However, there are no integrated regulatory laws or management systems against carcinogen exposure in Korea. Dead zones remain where carcinogen exposure cannot be controlled properly in Korea. In this paper, we suggest the need to establish a national carcinogen list based on international harmonization as a prerequisite for a paradigm shift in cancer control policy from treatment to primary prevention.
