“암은 갑자기 오지 않는다…‘과일·채소’로 암 억제력을 높이자” [건강한겨레]

In South Korea, there are approximately 2.73 million individuals who have experienced cancer. This equates to 1 in every 19 citizens. Each year, around 290,000 new cancer patients are diagnosed, marking a 2.8-fold increase over the past 30 years. Internationally, younger cancer patients are on the rise. According to international studies, from 1990 to 2019, the number of young cancer patients under 50 years old increased by 24% globally.

When limiting the focus to colon cancer, this figure rose by 79% in the same time frame. A significant contributing factor is dietary habits. As our diets change, obesity, diabetes, and alterations in gut microbiome lead to accelerated aging at the cellular level. This concern, voiced by Professor Kyu-Shik Lee of Yongeodo Medical Hospital's emergency medicine department, stems from the increasing age of his emergency room patients.

Today, 40-year-old patients are common, 30-year-olds are not rare, and even 20-year-olds are occasionally seen. Lee explained that "most cancers do not suddenly appear but emerge gradually due to prolonged environmental changes in the body." He emphasized that "cancer, just like myocardial infarction, is the ultimate manifestation of metabolic syndrome."

At the cellular level, even a 1×1 cm tumor contains 100 million to 1 billion cancer cells, which have been growing for 5 to 15 years in most cases. This prolonged growth is due to a prolonged environment that favors cancer, primarily caused by poor dietary and lifestyle habits resulting in insulin resistance. This state triggers a "hypoxic cell environment," where overactive cells release excessive insulin, creating an environment that favors cancer cells.

Conditions such as hypertension, irregular blood clots, and high blood pressure also fall under this category. Lifestyle and dietary habits contribute to the development of diabetes, cancer, and other metabolic diseases. These diseases are not mere coincidences but are influenced by our society's prevailing dietary habits, especially the consumption of processed and simple sugars.

High sugar consumption, frequent takeout and restaurant meals, late-night snacks, and convenience foods are major culprits. These habits all share a common denominator: the consumption of processed and simple sugars. Professor Lee warned that "even at the pre-diabetes stage, our bodies suffer significant harm, and the progression to cancer is facilitated by rising blood sugar levels."

Therefore, he cautioned, "Diabetes should not be taken lightly; when our blood vessels deteriorate in real-time, cancer progresses alongside it." Professor Lee urged that "cancer prevention management should start with dietary habits, not just for those who have experienced cancer but for the youth of 2030 and beyond. The earlier we begin, the better."

He also emphasized that "patients with metabolic disorders should not stop taking medication but should maintain normal blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through improved dietary and lifestyle habits." He further highlighted the importance of adopting a minimal-processed, nutrient-rich diet centered around whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetable juices to prevent and manage metabolic disorders.