Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology

The Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology (환경독성보건학회)
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Necessity for a National Carcinogen List in Korea, Based on International Harmonization

  • Leem, Jong Han (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Hwan Cheol (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Myungsook (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jung Ae (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Shin-Bum (Wonjin Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health) ;
  • Ha, Mina (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lim, Min-Kyeong (Cancer Risk Appraisal and Prevention Branch, National Cancer Information Center, National Cancer Center) ;
  • Kim, Jeongseon (Molecular Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Center) ;
  • Park, Eun Young (Cancer Information and Education Branch, National Cancer Information Center, National Cancer Center) ;
  • Paek, Domyung (School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2012.06.30
  • Accepted : 2013.05.01
  • Published : 2013.01.02
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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.

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References

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