In front of the cameras just two weeks after liver cancer surgery, working to pay off family debts... Actor Kang Shin-il opens up about his battle with liver cancer at 47

[Financial News] He appeared on set wearing an abdominal binder just two weeks after surgery. Actor Kang Shin-il, who had been unable to take a break while trying to pay off debts, opened up about his battle with liver cancer.
Kang Shin-il appeared with his wife, Oh Su-mi, on the SBS variety show “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny,” which aired on the 20th, and revealed that he was diagnosed with liver cancer at 47. He underwent surgery about a month after his diagnosis and returned to a drama set just two weeks later, wearing an abdominal binder.
Financial pressure was behind his premature return to work. Kang Shin-il said he had worked continuously on projects for five to six years without taking a break to pay off debts that had accumulated after his marriage. His wife, Ms. Oh, recalled that her husband put off further testing even though his blood test had shown abnormal results at the time.
Liver cancer is called the “silent cancer” because it rarely causes clear symptoms in its early stages. It can easily be mistaken for fatigue or indigestion, and in many cases the disease has already progressed by the time pain or jaundice appears. For this reason, it is important not to delay further testing if blood tests show abnormal liver levels.

Professor Kim Jeong-han of the Department of Gastroenterology at Konkuk University Medical Center said, “The most important thing is to detect liver cancer early through regular checkups before symptoms develop,” adding, “If you have liver disease or drink heavily, you must seek medical care when these symptoms appear.”

Regular checkups are especially important for high-risk groups, including people with hepatitis B or C, patients with cirrhosis, and those with a long history of heavy drinking, even if they have no symptoms. The National Cancer Screening Program recommends abdominal ultrasound and serum alpha-fetoprotein tests every six months for people aged 40 or older who are at high risk for liver cancer.
Recovery after surgery is also important. Because the remaining liver needs time to regain function after a liver resection, it is best to get plenty of rest and consult medical staff about when to return to daily activities.

Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake are also important. Consuming a moderate amount of protein can benefit liver health. However, recent studies have found no evidence for the common belief that a glass or two of wine is good for your health, and the effectiveness of commercially available liver health supplements has not been verified.
Professor Kim stressed, “Whatever treatment you choose, your liver function must be able to support it,” adding, “Take care of your liver with routine vaccinations, moderate alcohol consumption, and not smoking, and if you are in a high-risk group, don’t skip regular checkups.”


[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, Medical Correspondent Reporter