■ Helicobacter Infection Doubles Stomach Cancer Risk

Professor Park Seong-su of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital (pictured) has announced the results of a large-scale data analysis study aimed at preventing stomach cancer.

Stomach cancer is primarily attributed to specific dietary habits and genetic factors in Asia, including Korea. However, these findings were mainly derived from comparative studies with Western populations, where stomach cancer incidence is lower, thus lacking clear evidence on the risk factors and prevention strategies for stomach cancer.

Professor Park's research team analyzed 507 papers listed in international medical databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, examining the effects of 139 factors, including diet, lifestyle, environment, medication, infection, and genetics, on the occurrence and prevention of stomach cancer.

The study found that Helicobacter pylori infection increased the risk of stomach cancer by about twofold, while excessive alcohol consumption increased the risk by 1.5 to 2.2 times, high-salt and pickled foods by 1.4 to 2.0 times, and smoking by 1.3 to 1.8 times. Additionally, the intake of refined grains, red meat, processed meat, and high-fat dairy products was also identified as a risk factor for stomach cancer.

Conversely, the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 20 to 40%, and fish and seafood intake lowered the risk by about 10 to 30%. Adequate physical activity and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were found to help prevent stomach cancer through anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

In the analysis between Asian and non-Asian regions, it was found that Asians are more affected by salt and carbohydrate intake in terms of stomach cancer incidence. Asians with high salt intake had a 1.4 to 2 times increased risk of stomach cancer, whereas no significant risk increase was observed in non-Asian regions. This study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Gastric Cancer.

■ Ichuntaek Hospital Achieves 500 Robotic Joint Surgeries

The Robotic Joint Surgery Center at Jangsan Medical Foundation Ichuntaek Hospital (Director Yoon Seong-hwan, Team Leader Lee Su-hyun) surpassed 500 cumulative robotic joint surgeries using the advanced joint surgery robot 'Dr.LCT' as of September 5.

The achievement of 500 robotic surgeries using Dr.LCT comes approximately four years after the first successful surgery in June 2021. Ichuntaek Hospital currently utilizes two types of robots, Robodoc and Dr.LCT, selectively based on patient condition and bone deformation, conducting customized surgeries. To date, approximately 18,000 robotic surgeries have been performed, with Dr.LCT primarily applied to high-difficulty and complex surgeries, yielding excellent results.

Dr.LCT is a robot developed in 2021 by Ichuntaek Medical Research Institute (CEO Lee Geon-ah) with purely domestic technology, incorporating software and cutting control functions reflecting over 20 years of clinical experience. It enables personalized surgery by adjusting the cutting speed in real-time according to the bone strength of each patient, minimizing unnecessary movements throughout the surgery process and reducing overall surgery time.

■ Aging-Glimer... 'Wellness Healing Trend 2026' Published

A practical guidebook offering new solutions to modern urbanites concerned with both health and daily happiness, 'Wellness Healing Trend 2026' (co-authored by Chu Young-jun and 12 others) has been published.

Modern individuals living amidst repetitive work, complex human relationships, and the rapidly changing rhythm of cities are exposed to chronic fatigue, anxiety, and various chronic diseases. The dry urban environment itself strongly stimulates the desire for 'wellness,' which encompasses not only physical health but also mental and social well-being. Reflecting this trend, the global wellness market has surpassed KRW 2,500 trillion, and the domestic market ranked 9th globally as of 2022. Various products and services centered around wellness, such as yoga, meditation, psychological counseling, wellness tourism, and aromatherapy, are experiencing rapid growth.

'Wellness Healing Trend 2026' proposes personalized wellness solutions closely aligned with the various situations and problems urbanites encounter in daily life. The book identifies nine wellness keywords encompassing physical, mental, and social health. It provides an in-depth analysis of trends attracting global consumers, such as longevity and healthy aging, glimmer (small joys), gut health, ultra-processed foods, healthy pleasure, quietness and sleep tourism. It also explains wellness trends gaining attention domestically, such as stress management, corporate wellness programs, yoga and meditation, biophilic design, and marine healing, and introduces business models. This book offers new strategies and future opportunities for companies in the domestic health and wellness sector, as well as for those seeking new business ventures beyond existing business areas.

■ Self-Care Solution with Bipolar RF Technology

WPM (Wolpim) is a self-care solution centered around bipolar RF technology. The core technology, 10 kHz (10,000 Hz) bipolar RF, is designed to deliver consistent heat to the skin, aiding in skin condition improvement. The precise electrode structure of 8-pin and 4-pin allows for customized application to various areas of the face and body, with adjustable electrode distances enabling precise energy delivery. The thermal energy generated in this process stimulates deep layers of the skin, allowing for improvements in elasticity and body line management depending on the user.

Kim Min-kyung, CEO of WPM, stated, "WPM will grow into a global brand that transforms people's lives to be healthy and beautiful," adding, "We will present a new lifestyle to customers through spaces and products that combine artistic sensibility and wellness technology."

The WPM solution is designed with safety in mind to be used by all age groups and is noted for its suitability for family unit home care needs, such as postpartum recovery. In particular, it enhances usability in daily life through eight customized modes for managing skin, scalp, and body with a single device, high-frequency and low-frequency conversion functions, portability, and simplicity. WPM has also embarked on developing a personalized healthcare service based on microbiome analysis in collaboration with the bio company Easygnome Co., Ltd. Through this, WPM plans to continuously strengthen research and development for advanced wellness solution development and global market entry.

Popular News