Cancer Res Treat.  2021 Apr;53(2):330-338. 10.4143/crt.2020.263.

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

• Hong S
• Lee YY
• Lee J
• Kim Y
• Choi KS
• Jun JK
• Suh M

• KMID: 2514916
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2020.263

Abstract

Purpose
The 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 Methods
KNCSS 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.
Results
Screening 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.
Conclusion
Screening 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.

Keyword

Early detection of cancer; Healthcare surveys; Trends; Stomach neoplasms; Colorectal neoplasms; Liver neoplasms; Breast neoplasms; Uterine cervical neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Trends in cancer screening rates with recommendation by sex, from 2004–2018. (A) Stomach cancer. (B) Colorectal cancer.

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  Fig. 2 Trends in cancer screening rates with recommendation by age group, from 2004–2018. (A) Stomach cancer. (B) Colorectal cancer. (C) Breast cancer. (D) Cervix uteri cancer.

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