J Breast Cancer.  2010 Sep;13(3):299-304.

Breast Cancer Screening in Korean Women: Report of the National Cancer Screening Program in 2008

• Oh DK
• Shim JI
• Han M
• Kim Y
• Lee HY
• Jun JK
• Choi KS
• Park EC

Abstract

PURPOSE
The Korean National Cancer Screening Program began in 1999. To provide essential evidence related to breast cancer screening in Korean women, we analyzed data from the KNCSP in 2008.
METHODS
Using data obtained from the National Cancer Screening Information System, breast cancer screening participation rates were calculated. Recall rates were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
The target population of breast cancer screening in 2008 included 3,706,062 women, 1,294,060 of whom utilized mammography as a screening tool (participation rate, 34.9%). Compared to the participation rate of women covered by the National Health Insurance Program (37.3%), women covered by the Medical Aid Program was lower (21.3%). The overall recall rate of breast cancer screening was 6.4% (95% CI, 6.39-6.47).
CONCLUSION
According to our study, efforts to facilitate the participation and to reduce disparities in breast cancer screening among Korean women are needed. These results will provide essential data for evidence-based strategies in breast cancer control in Korea.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Korea; Mammography; Mass screening

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Early Detection of Cancer
Female
Health Services Needs and Demand
Humans
Information Systems
Korea
Mammography
Mass Screening
National Health Programs

Figure

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  Figure 1 Number of women screened by health insurance type and age from the Korean National Cancer Screening Program, 2008.

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  Figure 2 Participation rates by health insurance type and age from the Korean National Cancer Screening Program, 2008.

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  Figure 3 Recall rates by age from the Korean National Cancer Screening Program, 2008.

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  Figure 4 Recall rates by number of women screened per screening unit from the Korean National Cancer Screening Program, 2008. Blue dots mean screening units. (A) General hospital (n=300). (B) Hospital (n=557). (C) Clinic (n=1,001). The horizontal axis represents number of women (range, 1-31,813) screened with mammography according to screening units. Because recall rates by screening units follow a Poisson distribution, the horizontal line's scale is a logarithmic scale.

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