Trends in breast cancer screening rates among Korean women: results from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, 2005-2020

• Published in: Epidemiology and health Vol. 44; p. e2022111
• Main Authors: Song, Soo Yeon, Lee, Yun Yeong, Shin, Hye Young, Park, Bomi, Suh, Mina, Choi, Kui Son, Jun, Jae Kwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Epidemiology 24.11.2022
• Subjects: breast neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; health care surveys; Humans; mammography; Mammography - trends; mass screening; Mass Screening - methods; Mass Screening - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Original; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Republic of Korea; Breast neoplasms; Early detection of cancer; Mammography; Health care surveys; Mass screening
• ISSN: 2092-7193; 2092-7193
• DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2022111

Since 2002, the Korean government has provided breast cancer screening as part of the National Cancer Screening Program. This study reported trends in the screening rate among Korean women from 2005 to 2020, including organized and opportunistic screening for breast cancer. Data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, an annual cross-sectional nationwide survey, were collected using a structured questionnaire between 2005 and 2020. The study population included 23,702 women aged 40-74 years with no history of cancer. We estimated the screening rate based on the current recommendation of biennial mammographic screening for breast cancer. In addition, a joinpoint trend analysis was performed for breast cancer screening rates among various subgroups. In 2020, the breast cancer screening rate was 63.5%, reflecting an annual increase of 7.72% (95% confidence interval 5.53 to 9.95) between 2005 and 2012, followed by non-significant trends thereafter. In particular, a significant decrease in the breast cancer screening rate was observed in the subgroups aged 50-59 years old, with 12-15 years of education, and living in rural areas. Although there has been substantial improvement in breast cancer screening rates in Korean women, the trend has flattened in recent years. Therefore, continual efforts are required to identify subgroups with unmet needs and solve barriers to the uptake of breast cancer screening.