Shin, who was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at a young age in her 30s, was deeply worried about cancer treatment and life after treatment, especially anxiety about "pregnancy and childbirth." Visiting Asan Medical Center, Shin proceeded with embryo cryopreservation before treatment and underwent a total mastectomy of the left breast. Shin took on running to regain stamina diminished by chemotherapy and anti-hormone therapy. Shin has now finished treatment, succeeded in becoming pregnant, and is waiting to give birth next spring.
The number of young cancer patients under 40 is growing. According to the government's official cancer statistics (National Cancer Registry Statistics), as of 2022, the number of patients aged 20 to 39 diagnosed with cancer reached around 19,000. According to the international journal BMJ Oncology, the global incidence of early-onset cancer increased 79.1% over the 30 years from 1990 to 2019.
In a recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the growth rate in 2019 within the United States was notable for breast, colorectal, kidney and pancreatic cancers among those under 40. These four cancers accounted for more than 80% of the additional cancer cases occurring in younger age groups.
As the number of young cancer patients rises worldwide, Asan Medical Center has launched the MY HOPE exercise crew to support the physical and mental recovery of young cancer patients and cheer on their fight against cancer, drawing attention. MY HOPE is named after the initials of "Healing, Outreach, Personalization, Empowerment for young cancer patients as an integrated support program."
Because young cancer patients must face practical challenges even after treatment, such as childbirth, parenting and returning to work, recovery of healthy lifestyle habits and social networks is important, and Asan Medical Center has decided to support an exercise crew for young cancer patients.
The Asan Medical Center Cancer Institute will hold a MY HOPE crew launch ceremony on Nov. 1 and plans to support crew activities for a total of six months through the end of April next year. The crews will hold regular exercise meetings at least twice a month, share their activities on social media, communicate with cancer patients and work to improve awareness of young cancer patients.
MY HOPE crew applications are open to teams of at least three people that include cancer patients aged 20 to 45. Participants can choose their preferred sport, such as walking, running, hiking or swimming. Asan Medical Center plans to offer various special lectures to MY HOPE crew members and present certificates of completion and souvenirs at the end of the program.
On Nov. 1, at the MY HOPE crew launch ceremony, there will also be a talk show where attendees can speak with Asan Medical Center medical staff and ask about cancer prevention or management methods, the importance of exercise and other questions.
Right after the launch ceremony that day, time will be set aside for Asan Medical Center medical staff and the MY HOPE crew to walk and run together. Participants can choose a course that suits their condition from 1 km, 3 km and 5 km.
The MY HOPE program is led by Kim Hee-jung, a breast surgery professor at Asan Medical Center who is a "running enthusiast." Kim usually runs about 10 km between home and the hospital for her commute.
Kim Hee-jung, director of the Cancer Education and Information Center at Asan Medical Center (professor of breast surgery), said, "Exercise not only has a positive effect on cancer prevention, rehabilitation and survival, but also builds the mindset that patients can overcome cancer," adding, "I hope that through this MY HOPE crew activity, they will regain confidence and physical vitality."
Song Si-yeol, head of the Asan Medical Center Cancer Institute (professor of radiation oncology), said, "The MY HOPE crew is expected to provide motivation to establish a healthy lifestyle in the mid to long term, not as a one-off event."
Meanwhile, on the morning of the launch ceremony, the Asan Medical Center Education and Research Building will also host the "Asan Medical Center Cancer Institute 2025 Young Cancer Symposium." Discussions by experts are also scheduled to enhance survival rates and strengthen psychosocial support systems based on the characteristics of young cancer patients.
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