Korean J Med.  2016 Mar;90(3):224-230. 10.3904/kjm.2016.90.3.224.

Cancer Screening Guidelines in Korea

• Shim BY

• KMID: 2155936
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2016.90.3.224

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Korea. Cancer screening has become a basic health program because of the increased incidence of cancers and heightened interest. In September 2015, experts gathered at the National Cancer Institute of Korea proposed screening guidelines for seven cancers: lung, gastric, colon, breast, cervical, and thyroid cancers and hepatoma. The Korean cancer screening guidelines recommend annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in adults ages 55 to 74 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. For gastric cancer, endoscopy screening is recommended once every 2 years and gastrography is recommended optionally in adults ages 40 to 74 years. For hepatoma screening, alpha-fetoprotein and liver ultrasound are recommended every 6 months for patients older than 40 years old at high risk. For colon cancer screening, fecal occult blood testing is recommended with optional colonoscopy every 1-2 years in adults ages 40 to 80 years. For breast cancer screening, mammography is recommended every 2 years for all women ages 40-69 years. For cervical cancer screening, a Pap smear is recommended every 3 years for all women older than 20 years or with sexual experience. No routine screening is recommended for thyroid cancer. The author reviews the background and practices of cancer screening guidelines for seven major cancers and prostate cancer.

Keyword

Early detection of cancer

MeSH Terms

Adult
alpha-Fetoproteins
Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Cause of Death
Colon
Colonic Neoplasms
Colonoscopy
Early Detection of Cancer*
Endoscopy
Female
Humans
Incidence
Korea*
Liver
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Mammography
Mass Screening
National Cancer Institute (U.S.)
Occult Blood
Prostatic Neoplasms
Smoke
Smoking
Stomach Neoplasms
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Ultrasonography
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Smoke
alpha-Fetoproteins