This study assessed the screening rates for gastric cancer by two different screening methods, upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series and endoscopy; intentions to undergo future gastric cancer screening; and the preferred method of screening. The study population was derived from the 2006 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey. The Korean National Cancer Screening Survey is an annual cross-sectional survey that uses nationally representative random sampling to investigate cancer screening rates. A total of 1,625 Koreans over 40 years of age participated in this study. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with undergoing gastric cancer screening, having an intention to be screened, and preferring one of the two screening tests. Among the 1,625 subjects, 15.1% had received a UGI, 33.2% had received an endoscopy, and 43.1% had undergone either or both of the tests in the previous 2 years. About 52% of people reported the intention to be screened within the next 2 years. The odds ratio for intending to be screened was 11.8 and 6.2 higher among those who had undergone a prior UGI test and an endoscopy test within the previous 2 years, respectively, than for those who had never been screened. Among the 1,625 individuals, 67% chose endoscopy and 33% UGI for their preferred future screening method. Collectively, our results highlight the preference for endoscopy testing as a gastric cancer screening method. Providers' assessments of individuals' screening preferences in combination with intervention strategies to promote performance of the preferred test may increase patient compliance with gastric cancer screening recommendations. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(5):1390 -8)

Although stomach cancer screening is effective for reducing mortality, it is underutilized in Korea. By applying an extended theory of planned behavior model, our objective was to determine how personal background factors influence a patient's inclination to be screened for stomach cancer. The study population was derived from the 2006 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, which was done to investigate the participation of the general population in cancer screening. In total, 1,509 Koreans who were 40 to 70 years old participated in this study. Path analysis was used to test a conceptual model in which (a) factors considered as precursors to be screened (components in theory of planned behavior model) directly predicted the intention to be screened and (b) personal background factors, including sociodemographic factors, previous screening experience, economic status, and perceived risk, indirectly influenced the intention to be screened through their effects on cognitive components such as attitude and subjective norm in the theory of planned behavior model. Most of the personal background factors did not directly influence intention but instead influenced cognitive elements in the theory of planned behavior model. Attitude and perceived behavioral control were well correlated with a patient's intention, regardless of the screening cost. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the satisfaction of participants in the National Cancer Screening Program(NCSP) and to identify factors affecting the satisfaction. The telephone survey was conducted in July 2007 for the participants 윤난희 외 -: 국가암조기검진 수검자 만족도에 영향을 미치는 요인dimensions of independent variables -'sociodemographic characteristics', 'screening characteristics', and 'perceived service quality' -were used for the empirical analyses. Female, old-aged, less educated, Medicaid recipients, rural residents and the participants with normal results were more likely to be satisfied with the NCSP. The results of multiple regression analyses show that gender, age, location of residence, type of screening units, and perceived quality of screening services were significantly related to satisfaction. This study is meaningful as the first attempt to measure participant satisfaction with the NCSP, and to identify factors affecting the satisfaction. Among the identified factors, the NCSP needs to pay attention to perceived quality of service, in particular, to improve the satisfaction.This study is expected to contribute to raising the compliance rate and to improve the quality of the NCSP.