Abstract
BackgroundCancer screening rates in Korea for five cancer types have increased steadily since 2002. With regard to the life-time cancer screening rates in 2009 according to cancer sites, the second highest was breast cancer (78.1%) and the third highest was cervical cancer (76.1%). Despite overall increases in the screening rate, disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening, based on sociodemographic characteristics, still exist.MethodsData from 4,139 women aged 40 to74 years from the 2005 to 2009 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey were used to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and receiving mammograms and Pap smears. The main outcome measures were ever having had a mammogram and ever having had a Pap smear. Using these items of information, we classified women into those who had had both types of screening, only one screening type, and neither screening type. We used logistic regression to investigate relationships between screening history and sociodemographic characteristics of the women.ResultsBeing married, having a higher education, a rural residence, and private health insurance were significantly associated with higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screening after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors. Household income was not significantly associated with mammograms or Pap smears after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors.ConclusionsDisparities in breast and cervical cancer screening associated with low sociodemographic status persist in Korea.
Highlights
Cancer screening rates in Korea for five cancer types have increased steadily since 2002
Positive associations were found between education and both mammogram and Pap smear screenings
Being married and having a higher education level, rural residence, and private health insurance were significantly associated with higher rates of breast and cervical cancer screening, after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors
Summary
Cancer screening rates in Korea for five cancer types have increased steadily since 2002. With regard to the life-time cancer screening rates in 2009 according to cancer sites, the second highest was breast cancer (78.1%) and the third highest was cervical cancer (76.1%). Despite overall increases in the screening rate, disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening, based on sociodemographic characteristics, still exist. Regarding the life-time cancer screening rates in 2009, according to cancer site, the second highest was breast cancer (78.1%), and the third highest was cervical cancer (76.1%) [1]. NCSP provides screening services free of charge for Medical Aid enrollees and people with National Health Insurance (NHI) with a contribution below 50%. NCSP provides cancer screening to people with a contribution over 50% and has subsidized 90% of the costs of these services. Individuals must pay for all procedure-related costs associated with such opportunistic screening [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
