KALASIN, THAILAND – A district hospital in the northeastern province of Kalasin reported that over three years it successfully performed all detected colon cancer operations using keyhole surgery, achieving a 100 percent success rate.
Hospital reports 19 cancer cases and full recovery
Yang Talat Hospital stated that since fiscal year 2023 it had provided free colonoscopies to 1,222 people, identifying 19 cases of colon cancer. According to the hospital, all 19 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and had since returned to a normal daily life.
Screening program enters fourth year in 2026
The hospital said it entered the fourth year of its program in 2026, with systematic colonoscopies scheduled again from February to May. For the current year, the clinic aimed to examine 567 people by colonoscopy to further expand early colon cancer detection in the region.
Official launch and cancer risk assessment
The latest phase of the project was officially launched at Yang Talat Hospital by Ekarat Misa, the district chief of Yang Talat, together with health authorities, medical staff and village health volunteers. Hospital director Dr. Samanmit Attanak stressed that colon cancer was among the three most common cancers in men and women in the country and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Importance of early diagnosis and first-line tests
Dr. Samanmit said that regular screening and early diagnosis could significantly reduce mortality from colon cancer.
“Regular preventive examinations and early diagnosis can significantly lower mortality from colon cancer.”
said Dr. Samanmit Attanak, hospital director.
He described the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) as a simple and rapid stool test that served as a low-threshold entry method, after which patients with positive results were referred for further examinations.
Role of colonoscopy and annual case figures
According to Dr. Samanmit, colonoscopy remained the most widely accepted and most accurate method because it not only revealed abnormalities but in some cases allowed immediate treatment. The hospital reported that in fiscal year 2023 it carried out 445 colonoscopies with six cancer cases detected and operated on, followed by 323 examinations with eight operated cancer cases in 2024 and 454 examinations with five treated cancer cases in 2025.
Bringing standardized screening closer to rural patients
Dr. Samanmit emphasized that the hospital, together with the health network of Yang Talat district, pursued the goal of providing the population with standardized cancer screening close to home by specially trained professionals, in order to reduce travel costs and improve survival through early treatment.
“We aim to offer standardized cancer screening near people’s homes to cut travel expenses and improve survival chances through early therapy.”
said Dr. Samanmit Attanak, hospital director.
Under the 2026 program, examinations were scheduled on Fridays with a capacity of 30 patients per day and on Sundays with 20 patients per day, targeting people aged 50 and over from Yang Talat district and the neighboring districts of Huai Mek, Nong Kung Si and Tha Khantho.