Overview of the National Cancer Screening Program for Colorectal Cancer in Korea over 14 Years (2004-2017)

• Published in: Cancer Research and Treatment Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 910 - 917
• Main Authors: Park, Bomi, Her, Eun Young, Lee, Kyeongmin, Nari, Fatima, Jun, Jae Kwan, Choi, Kui Son, Suh, Mina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Cancer Association 01.07.2023; 대한암학회
• Subjects: Colorectal Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Colorectal Neoplasms - epidemiology; Colorectal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Early Detection of Cancer; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Humans; Korea; Mass Screening; Original; Original Article; Republic of Korea; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Socioeconomic Factors; 의학일반; Republic of Korea; Korea; Early detection of cancer; Colorectal neoplasms; Occult blood; Colonoscopy
• ISSN: 1598-2998; 2005-9256; 2005-9256
• DOI: 10.4143/crt.2022.1432

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the participation and follow-up test compliance rates and key performance indicators of the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) for colorectal cancer (CRC) from 2004 to 2017.Materials and Methods The overall outcomes of the NCSP for CRC were analyzed using the NCSP data collected from 2004 to 2017 and the Korean Central Cancer Registry for CRC from 2005 to 2017. We cross-sectionally analyzed the participation and follow-up test compliance rates and performance indicators for each year. The trend of participation rates as an annual percentage change was assessed, and other statistical analyses were performed.Results The screening participation rates increased from 7.3% in 2004 to 30.5% in 2017. Additionally, the screening rates were higher among individuals aged 60-69 years and National Health Insurance Service beneficiaries of low-income status. However, the adherence to the follow-up test decreased from 63% in 2004 to 32% in 2017. The follow-up tests using the double-contrast barium enema method decreased from 42.2% in 2004 to 0.3% in 2017. However, follow-up tests by colonoscopy increased from 21.0% in 2004 to 31.8% in 2017. Furthermore, the positivity, false-positive, and interval CRC rates decreased, whereas the specificity increased from 2004 to 2016, indicating improved performance of CRC.Conclusion The participation rates and performance of the NCSP for CRC have steadily improved, whereas adherence to follow-up tests has decreased. Additionally, there is a rapid growth in colonoscopy volume as a follow-up test. Continued efforts are required to improve the follow-up rates.