Ann Surg Treat Res.  2023 Feb;104(2):71-79. 10.4174/astr.2023.104.2.71.

Domestic medical travel from non-Seoul regions to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment: a nationwide cohort study

• Jeong JH
• Jung J
• Kim HJ
• Lee JW
• Ko BS
• Son BH
• Jung KH
• Chung IY

• KMID: 2539221
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2023.104.2.71

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted to investigate the trend of domestic medical travel from non-Seoul areas to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment, and identify factors associated with medical travel in breast cancer patients.
Methods
A nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment data of South Korea. Patients were classified according to the regions in which they underwent breast biopsy (Seoul vs.metropolitan cities vs. other regions). Frequencies of biopsy, diagnosis, treatment, and domestic medical travel were analyzed according to regions, and factors associated with medical travel were investigated.
Results
A total of 150,709 breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. The total rate of medical travel from non-Seoul regions to Seoul had increased from 14.2% (1,161 of 8,150) in 2010 to 19.8% (2,762 of 13,964) in 2017. Approximately a quarter of patients from other regions traveled to Seoul, and over 40% of patients from Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju regions traveled to Seoul for initial treatment in 2017. The difference in the annual frequencies of upfront surgery between Seoul and non-Seoul regions increased over time. Younger age and regions other than metropolitan cities were significantly related to medical travel. Patients covered by medical aid or past medical histories were significantly less likely to travel to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Medical travel to Seoul for upfront breast cancer surgery is increasing. Policies for appropriate healthcare delivery need to be established in the near future.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Drug therapy; Radiotherapy; Surgery; Travel

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Study enrollment.

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  Fig. 2 Annual number of patients according to procedures and treatments by region. (A) Pathologic examination. (B) Diagnosis. (C) Initial treatment. (D) Breast cancer surgery. (E) Chemotherapy. (F) Radiotherapy.

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  Fig. 3 Annual proportion of medical travel to Seoul by region.

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  Fig. 4 Comprehensive patterns of medical travel in South Korea. PE, pathologic exam; Dx, diagnosis; Tx, initial treatment.

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