Yang Talat Hospital in Kalasin, northeastern Thailand, has reported a 100% success rate in laparoscopic surgeries for colorectal cancer, following screenings of over 1,200 individuals since 2023. The hospital detected 19 cases of cancer among these screenings, with all patients undergoing successful surgeries and resuming normal life.

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The programme at Yang Talat Hospital began in 2023, offering free colonoscopy screenings that have proven crucial in early cancer detection. Dr. Samanmit Attanak, the hospital director, highlighted the significant threat posed by colorectal cancer in Thailand, ranking among the top three most common cancers nationwide. Early detection through regular screenings is emphasized as critical in reducing mortality rates.

The initiative was officially launched with support from district chief Ekarat Misa, alongside health officials and local volunteers. The hospital's programme uses colonoscopy as the primary screening method due to its reliability and potential for immediate treatment, preceding other methods like the faecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Between 2023 and 2025, the hospital screened 1,222 individuals, identifying 19 cases of cancer—all successfully treated surgically. The effectiveness of this programme underscores the crucial role of accessible healthcare services in early cancer detection and treatment, especially in reducing travel costs and improving survival rates.

This year marks the hospital’s fourth year of the screening programme, which aims to examine 567 individuals. Screenings are to be conducted on Fridays and Sundays, targeting individuals aged 50 and above in Yang Talat and the neighboring areas. By maintaining a robust healthcare network and trained specialists, the hospital seeks to standardize cancer screening practices further, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

• Yang Talat Hospital has achieved a 100% success rate in surgeries for colorectal cancer following extensive screenings.

• The programme highlights the importance of early detection in reducing mortality rates for one of Thailand's most common cancers.

• The hospital plans to screen 567 people in the 2026 programme, expanding access to vital cancer detection services.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 16 Feb 2026

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This sounds almost too good to be true, and you know what that usually means!

A quick Web search reveals that worldwide, laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery usually achieves success rates around 90–95%, according to Harvard‑affiliated research published in JAMA Network Open.

The critical concern with Yang Talat Hospital’s 100% figure it that it comes from just 19 patients, which is far too small a sample to compare with global averages.

As a regular visitor to Kalasin, I actually know this hospital and I have to tell you that it is not a large regional or general hospital. Instead, it is a district hospital serving the local community.

So while the programme indeed deserves credit for offering free colonoscopy screenings for locals aged 50 and over, and for catching cancers early, the headline figure should be seen as a local success story only rather than a benchmark against global averages.

Reference:

JAMA Netw Open

Published Online: May 9, 2022

2022;5;(5):e2210861.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10861, online at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2792067, accessed 16 February 2026.

14 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

This sounds almost too good to be true, and you know what that usually means!

A quick Web search reveals that worldwide, laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery usually achieves success rates around 90–95%, according to Harvard‑affiliated research published in JAMA Network Open.

The critical concern with Yang Talat Hospital’s 100% figure it that it comes from just 19 patients, which is far too small a sample to compare with global averages.

As a regular visitor to Kalasin, I actually know this hospital and I have to tell you that it is not a large regional or general hospital. Instead, it is a district hospital serving the local community.

So while the programme indeed deserves credit for offering free colonoscopy screenings for locals aged 50 and over, and for catching cancers early, the headline figure should be seen as a local success story only rather than a benchmark against global averages.

Reference:

JAMA Netw Open

Published Online: May 9, 2022

2022;5;(5):e2210861.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10861, online at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2792067, accessed 16 February 2026.

Everything in your post appears to be true Jim. However nowhere did the OP suggest that it was a "benchmark against global averages". If the global average success rate is 90 to 95%, then it seems quite reasonable that a local sample in Kalasin can achieve a 100% succcess rate, and not a lie or a fiddle as your opening sentence might suggest. For them that it a worthwhile achievement, which may help them encourage others to undergo the testing, which would also be beneficial.

Is this hospital open to Thais outside the area and/or foreigners?

Although, the removal of polyps can be considered "cancer surgery", it should not be confused with the complex surgical procedures such as removal of parts of the intestines, bowel, and rectum.

16 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

This sounds almost too good to be true, and you know what that usually means!

A quick Web search reveals that worldwide, laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery usually achieves success rates around 90–95%, according to Harvard‑affiliated research published in JAMA Network Open.

The critical concern with Yang Talat Hospital’s 100% figure it that it comes from just 19 patients, which is far too small a sample to compare with global averages.

As a regular visitor to Kalasin, I actually know this hospital and I have to tell you that it is not a large regional or general hospital. Instead, it is a district hospital serving the local community.

So while the programme indeed deserves credit for offering free colonoscopy screenings for locals aged 50 and over, and for catching cancers early, the headline figure should be seen as a local success story only rather than a benchmark against global averages.

Reference:

JAMA Netw Open

Published Online: May 9, 2022

2022;5;(5):e2210861.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.10861, online at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2792067, accessed 16 February 2026.

The main story here is not the 100% success rate achieved by the surgeries. It is the fact that 19 cancer patients were diagnosed early enough to have the surgery in the first place.

Without the free screenings I’d put money on those 19 patients going on to have colon cancer that required extensive surgery with much less chance of success, or just dying with no surgery at all.

Speaking as a early detected cancer patient here.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Although, the removal of polyps can be considered "cancer surgery", it should not be confused with the complex surgical procedures such as removal of parts of the intestines, bowel, and rectum.

Yet more reason to be grateful for the free screenings that resulted in early detection.

This is great news. 19 out of 19 is awesome but we all know the real # of people in this country with this type of cancer is much much larger. Knowing this, the government should offer discount or free screenings to help all of those we know have pre existing issues. At least in my area, there isn't a push locally (at all) to help or advise people to get checked.

Lao khao isn't a joke and too many men (and women) drink daily until death unfortunately. Seen it happen. The country just isn't willing to invest in their own people, especially men. Their hands are elsewhere....but it's the same across the globe. I take that back. Some smaller villages, etc. do try to help though.

KUDOS to this hospital and I hope they can teach other hospitals their MOO and procedures that led to such a great success rate.

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Although, the removal of polyps can be considered "cancer surgery", it should not be confused with the complex surgical procedures such as removal of parts of the intestines, bowel, and rectum.

Polyps aren't cancerous, 50% of people have them.

3 hours ago, fanof3d said:

This is great news. 19 out of 19 is awesome but we all know the real # of people in this country with this type of cancer is much much larger. Knowing this, the government should offer discount or free screenings to help all of those we know have pre existing issues. At least in my area, there isn't a push locally (at all) to help or advise people to get checked.

Lao khao isn't a joke and too many men (and women) drink daily until death unfortunately. Seen it happen. The country just isn't willing to invest in their own people, especially men. Their hands are elsewhere....but it's the same across the globe. I take that back. Some smaller villages, etc. do try to help though.

KUDOS to this hospital and I hope they can teach other hospitals their MOO and procedures that led to such a great success rate.

Couldn’t agree more with your views on screening. Regrettably there are a number of countries who do not offer free screenings, UK and USA among them, although I believe the UK is just in the middle of a push to encourage its population to do so.

I’m not sure about continental Europe, I suspect that France may have and I shouldn’t be surprised if the Scandinavian countries do.

But so many countries don’t.

On 2/16/2026 at 4:52 PM, snoop1130 said:

Yang Talat Hospital in Kalasin, northeastern Thailand, has reported a 100% success rate in laparoscopic surgeries for colorectal cancer, following screenings of over 1,200 individuals since 2023. The hospital detected 19 cases of cancer among these screenings, with all patients undergoing successful surgeries and resuming normal life.

Get today's headlines by email

The programme at Yang Talat Hospital began in 2023, offering free colonoscopy screenings that have proven crucial in early cancer detection. Dr. Samanmit Attanak, the hospital director, highlighted the significant threat posed by colorectal cancer in Thailand, ranking among the top three most common cancers nationwide. Early detection through regular screenings is emphasized as critical in reducing mortality rates.

The initiative was officially launched with support from district chief Ekarat Misa, alongside health officials and local volunteers. The hospital's programme uses colonoscopy as the primary screening method due to its reliability and potential for immediate treatment, preceding other methods like the faecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Between 2023 and 2025, the hospital screened 1,222 individuals, identifying 19 cases of cancer—all successfully treated surgically. The effectiveness of this programme underscores the crucial role of accessible healthcare services in early cancer detection and treatment, especially in reducing travel costs and improving survival rates.

This year marks the hospital’s fourth year of the screening programme, which aims to examine 567 individuals. Screenings are to be conducted on Fridays and Sundays, targeting individuals aged 50 and above in Yang Talat and the neighboring areas. By maintaining a robust healthcare network and trained specialists, the hospital seeks to standardize cancer screening practices further, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

• Yang Talat Hospital has achieved a 100% success rate in surgeries for colorectal cancer following extensive screenings.

• The programme highlights the importance of early detection in reducing mortality rates for one of Thailand's most common cancers.

• The hospital plans to screen 567 people in the 2026 programme, expanding access to vital cancer detection services.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 16 Feb 2026

View full record

Too little information for me to judge

OK, well done to Yang Talat hospital, doesnt Yang Talat have a horrendous toxic waste collection dump site as well that has long contributed to even higher rates of cancer in the Yang Talat area than the already sky high rates in Isaan due to the high levels of pesticides, weed killers, field burnings trash burning etc? It doesnt sound like a good idea to go to Yang Talat and spend a week in hospital there just to get some polyps snipped.

God help me, dont let me get started on what I have been through for 26 years at the hands of the medical "profession" in Thailand.

6 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Polyps aren't cancerous, 50% of people have them.

Polyps are only classified as non cancerous after there is a pathology exam that determines whether or not the polyps are cancerous. Until then, they are managed as if they are, which is why they are removed when discovered. This is also the reason why people who have had polyps removed are asked to return more frequently for exams, than those who have not had polyps .

17 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Polyps aren't cancerous, 50% of people have them.

Not everyone agrees with you including Mr AI

“Yes, colon polyps can be cancerous, though most are not. They are often precancerous, meaning that while they start as harmless growths, certain types can turn into cancer over a period of 10–15 years if not removed during a colonoscopy. Regular screening is crucial to detect and remove these polyps before they become malignant. “

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