1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the challenges of diagnosing and treating stomach cancer, also known as the “silent killer.” It highlights the importance of early detection and the various symptoms that may indicate the presence of stomach cancer.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 위암 | wi-am | stomach cancer | Stomach cancer, also known as the “silent killer,” is difficult to diagnose and treat. |
| 있다 | it-da | to have, to exist | Stomach cancer has a very high recurrence rate of 20%. |
| 조기 | jo-gi | early | If stomach cancer is detected early, surgery and chemotherapy can be used as treatment methods. |
| 항암 | hang-am | anti-cancer, chemotherapy | If stomach cancer progresses beyond the early stage, both surgery and chemotherapy are used as treatment. |
| 소화불량 | so-hwa-bul-ryang | indigestion | As the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. |
| 복통 | bok-tong | abdominal pain | As the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. |
| 구토 | gu-to | vomiting | As the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. |
| 흑색 변 | heuk-saek byeon | black stool | As the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. |
| 체중감소 | che-jung-gam-so | weight loss | As the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. |
| 재발률 | jae-bal-ryul | recurrence rate | The recurrence rate of stomach cancer is very high, at around 20%. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
위암은 ‘침묵의 살인자’라고 불릴 만큼 진단과 완치가 어려운 질병이다. 초기에는 증상이 뚜렷하지 않아 발견이 늦어지는 경우가 많다. 그러다 보니 위암은 재발률이 매우 높은 편이다.
Stomach cancer is often called the “silent killer” because it is difficult to diagnose and treat. In the early stages, the symptoms are not very clear, so it is often detected late. As a result, stomach cancer has a very high recurrence rate.
위암이 진행되면서 종양 크기가 커지면 소화불량, 복통, 구토, 흑색 변, 체중감소 등의 증상이 나타날 수 있다. 이 증상들이 나타나면 빨간불이 켜진 것이라고 볼 수 있다.
As stomach cancer progresses and the tumor size increases, symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, vomiting, black stool, and weight loss may appear. If these symptoms appear, it can be considered a “red light” indicating the presence of the disease.
조기 위암을 넘어 진행성 위암으로 진단되면 수술과 항암 치료를 병행해야 한다. 하지만 최근 연구 결과에 따르면 종양을 1cm 이내로 잘라내도 재발률에는 큰 차이가 없다고 한다. 이는 위암 치료에 있어 수술 범위를 줄일 수 있는 가능성을 보여준다.
If stomach cancer is diagnosed as advanced beyond the early stage, both surgery and chemotherapy are required as treatment. However, recent research has shown that even if the tumor is removed within 1cm, the recurrence rate does not differ significantly. This suggests the possibility of reducing the scope of surgery in the treatment of stomach cancer.
위암의 위험 요인으로는 단백질과 지방보다 탄수화물 섭취가 많은 식사, 검게 태운 음식, 소금에 오랫동안 절인 음식 등이 지목되고 있다. 이러한 식습관 개선이 위암 예방에 도움이 될 수 있다.
Risk factors for stomach cancer include diets high in carbohydrates rather than protein and fat, heavily charred foods, and foods preserved in salt for a long time. Improving these dietary habits can help prevent stomach cancer.
위암은 증상이 뚜렷하지 않아 조기 발견이 어려운 질병이다. 하지만 정기적인 검진을 통해 빨리 발견하면 치료 가능성이 높아진다. 위암 예방을 위해서는 건강한 식습관 유지도 중요하다.
Stomach cancer is a disease that is difficult to detect early because the symptoms are not very clear. However, if it is detected early through regular check-ups, the chances of successful treatment increase. Maintaining a healthy diet is also important for preventing stomach cancer.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What are the main challenges in diagnosing and treating stomach cancer?
- What are the common symptoms that may indicate the presence of stomach cancer?
- What are the two main treatment methods for advanced stomach cancer?
- What recent research finding suggests the possibility of reducing the scope of surgery in stomach cancer treatment?
- What dietary factors are considered risk factors for stomach cancer?
5. Cultural and historical notes
Stomach cancer is a significant health concern in Korea, where the disease is relatively common compared to other countries. The article highlights the importance of early detection and preventive measures, such as maintaining a healthy diet, to address this challenging condition.