Trends in Cancer Screening Rates among Korean Men and Women: Results of the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, 2004–2018

Abstract

PurposeThe Korean National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS) is a nationwide annual cross-sectional survey conducted for the past 15 years. This study aimed to report trends in the overall screening rates of both organized and opportunistic cancer screening programs from 2004–2018. Materials and MethodsKNCSS data were collected using a structured questionnaire. For five major cancers (i.e., stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer), we evaluated both the lifetime screening rate and the screening rate with recommendations. The study population included men aged 40–74 years and women aged 20–74 years with no cancer histories.ResultsScreening rate with recommendations increased from 2004 annually by 4.4% and 1.5% until 2013 for stomach and liver cancers, respectively, by 4.0% until 2012 for breast cancer, and by 3.6% and 1.2% until 2014 for colorectal and cervical cancers, respectively, followed by nonsignificant trends thereafter. In 2018, screening rates with recommendations for these cancers were 72.8%, 26.2%, 63.1%, 58.4%, and 55.6%, respectively. ConclusionScreening rates for the five types of cancer demonstrated a marked increase between 2004 and 2018. However, many recent screening rates have been flattened with nonsignificant trends, and there are lower rates for cervical cancer screening among young age groups. Steady efforts are needed to achieve higher screening participation rates overall, especially for the cervical cancer screening of young women in their 20s.

Public opinion on implementing the National Lung Cancer Screening Program in Korea

“…Survey responses were collected by a professional research agency that personally contacted the respondents. All respondents voluntarily participated in the survey (11). The 2018 survey collected detailed information regarding demographics, smoking status, and opinions on the lung cancer screening program.…”

Barriers and strategies for cervical cancer screening: What do female university students know and want?

“…The Papanicolaou test (Pap test) is a promising cervical cancer screening method to detect cervical cancer early and decrease invasive cervical cancer. In developed countries, cervical cancer screening rates in young women in their 20s were approximately 60%–70%, [ 4 , 5 ] but in Korea, it is much lower, at approximately 20% [ 6 ]. In particular, female university students’ cervical cancer screening rate in their early 20s was approximately 5–8% [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…In particular, female university students’ cervical cancer screening rate in their early 20s was approximately 5–8% [ 7 , 8 ]. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea has included women in their 20s as the target population for cervical cancer screening since 2016 [ 6 ]. As per this system, the target population is notified of their eligibility for screening every two years via mail.…”

“…After undergoing the screening, the test results are provided via mail or a mobile phone text message, depending on their preference. To date, even though target women in their 20s have received at least two mails since 2016, there has not been an apparent increase in the cervical cancer screening rate [ 6 ].…”

A nationwide survey on the effectiveness of training on endoscope reprocessing within the national cancer screening program in Korea

“…16 Since 1999, gastric cancer endoscopic screening has been provided free of charge to individuals above age 40 every two years based on the high prevalence rate of gastric cancer. 17,18 Since 2004, endoscopic screening for colon cancer has been provided in case of abnormalities in the first examination with fecal occult blood test within the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea. 18 Therefore, the National Cancer Center (NCC) provided nationwide endoscope reprocessing training, targeting regional hospitals' staff members performing gastric and colorectal cancer endoscopic screening annually since 2012, to ensure quality control of the endoscopy units.…”