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The Effect of National Cancer Screening on Disparity Reduction in Cancer Stage at Diagnosis by Income Level

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  • Hye-Min Jung
  • Jin-Seok Lee
  • David R Lairson
  • Yoon Kim

Abstract

Background: Early detection of cancer is an effective and efficient cancer management strategy. In South Korea, the National Health Insurance administers the National Cancer Screening Program to its beneficiaries. We examined the impact of the National Cancer Screening Program on socioeconomic disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis. Methods: Cancer patients registered in the Korean Central Cancer Registry from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 with a diagnosis of gastric cancer (n = 22,470), colon cancer (n = 16,323), breast cancer (n = 10,076), or uterine cervical cancer (n = 2,447) were included. Income level was divided into three groups according to their monthly contribution of National Health Insurance. We employed absolute (age-standardized prevalence rate, slope index of inequality) and relative (relative index of inequality) measures to separately examine social disparities among participants and non-participants of the National Cancer Screening Program in terms of the early-stage rate. Results: Age-standardized prevalence rates of early-stage by income group were always higher in participants than in non-participants. Furthermore, the age-standardized prevalence rate of early-stage in the low income group of the participants was also higher than that of the high income group of the non-participants. The sizes of disparities (both slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality) are smaller in participants compared to non-participants. Conclusion: National Cancer Screening Program participation reduced income disparity in cancer stage at diagnosis. Population-based cancer screening programs can be used as an effective measure to reduce income disparity in cancer care.

Suggested Citation

  • Hye-Min Jung & Jin-Seok Lee & David R Lairson & Yoon Kim, 2015. "The Effect of National Cancer Screening on Disparity Reduction in Cancer Stage at Diagnosis by Income Level," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0136036
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mackenbach, Johan P. & Kunst, Anton E., 1997. "Measuring the magnitude of socio-economic inequalities in health: An overview of available measures illustrated with two examples from Europe," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(6), pages 757-771, March.
    2. Sassi, F. & Luft, H.S. & Guadagnoli, E., 2006. "Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in female breast cancer: Screening rates and stage at diagnosis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(12), pages 2165-2172.
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