Abstract
A27
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Korea. In 2002 alone, approximately 99,000 new cases were diagnosed and 63,000 people died from cancer. Although the incidence of stomach cancer has been declining in recent decades, this disease is the most common cancer. To reduce this burden of morbidity and mortality, the Korean Government implemented the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in 1999. The NCSP provides free screening for stomach cancer for adults aged over 40 and older by upper gastrointestinal series or gastroscopy. >This study was conducted to determining the preferred screening methods: upper gastrointestinal series or gastroscopy. We assessed utilization rates for each testing and identified sociodemographic, economic, and health related factors that explained which screening test was chosen. >The 2006 NCSP records were used to analyze the choice of test. Information on the screening method selected and sociodemographic, economic, and health related factors are available from the NCSP database. We used logistic regression modeling to explain the choice of screening method. >In total, 727,656 Koreans received stomach-cancer screening under the NCSP in 2006. Of these, 341,270 (47%) had the upper gastrointestinal series test and 386,386 (53%) had the gastroscopy test. The following factors were associated in multiple logistic regression with a greater likelihood of choosing gastroscopy rather than upper gastrointestinal series: male, higher income level, higher educational level, family history of stomach cancer, stomach-related disease (i.e., gastritis), living in an urban area, and previous gastroscopy screening. >The results of this study demonstrate that diverse factors are associated with a participant’s choice of stomach-cancer screening method. Specifically, sociodemographic, economic, and medical factors influence a subject’s choice of test. The development and targeting of appropriate stomach-cancer screening programs may be aided by emphasizing people’s preferences.
Sixth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research-- Dec 5-8, 2007; Philadelphia, PA