Evaluating the Optimal Age for National Gastric Cancer Screening in Korea: A Real-World, Population-Based Cohort
Author(s)
Doyeon Jin1, Jeonghoon Ahn, MA, PhD2, Hyorim Lee, Graduate student2, soohyun noh, Graduate student2.
1Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
1Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
OBJECTIVES: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in Korea, and the national screening program targets adults aged 40 and older. However, the optimal screening age remains unclear, especially with rising life expectancy and healthcare burden. This study aimed to identify the optimal age of the national gastric cancer screening in Korea.
METHODS: A population-based cohort was established using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), including individuals aged 40 and older who underwent gastric cancer screening between 2009 and 2010. To ensure comparability between screened and non-screened groups, Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was applied based on age and sex. Age-stratified analyses were conducted to compare gastric cancer detection rates between the screened and non-screened groups. Detection rates were examined across predefined age groups (40-74, 75-79, and 80-85). Based on these findings, we aimed to identify the optimal age range for the national gastric cancer screening program.
RESULTS: A total of 2,146,662 were analyzed, including 1,073,331 in both screened and non-screened groups. Gastric cancer detection rates in screened group were 0.39% for ages 40-74, 0.05% for 75-79, and 0.02% for 80-85, compared to 0.18%, 0.02%, and 0.01% in non-screened group, respectively. Average medical costs for gastric cancer patients in screened group were KRW 25,624,843 (40-74), KRW 33,669,118 (75-79), and KRW 38,917,679 (80-85), while those in non-screened group were KRW 32,155,931, KRW 36,510,052, and KRW 38,325,697, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer was more frequently identified in screened group across all age groups, with the greatest differences in both detection rate and cost observed among those aged 40-74. Screening effectiveness and cost efficiency were also evident in the 75-79 age group, while both benefits appeared limited in individuals aged 80 and older. These findings support 40-74 years as the optimal age range for national gastric cancer screening.
METHODS: A population-based cohort was established using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), including individuals aged 40 and older who underwent gastric cancer screening between 2009 and 2010. To ensure comparability between screened and non-screened groups, Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was applied based on age and sex. Age-stratified analyses were conducted to compare gastric cancer detection rates between the screened and non-screened groups. Detection rates were examined across predefined age groups (40-74, 75-79, and 80-85). Based on these findings, we aimed to identify the optimal age range for the national gastric cancer screening program.
RESULTS: A total of 2,146,662 were analyzed, including 1,073,331 in both screened and non-screened groups. Gastric cancer detection rates in screened group were 0.39% for ages 40-74, 0.05% for 75-79, and 0.02% for 80-85, compared to 0.18%, 0.02%, and 0.01% in non-screened group, respectively. Average medical costs for gastric cancer patients in screened group were KRW 25,624,843 (40-74), KRW 33,669,118 (75-79), and KRW 38,917,679 (80-85), while those in non-screened group were KRW 32,155,931, KRW 36,510,052, and KRW 38,325,697, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer was more frequently identified in screened group across all age groups, with the greatest differences in both detection rate and cost observed among those aged 40-74. Screening effectiveness and cost efficiency were also evident in the 75-79 age group, while both benefits appeared limited in individuals aged 80 and older. These findings support 40-74 years as the optimal age range for national gastric cancer screening.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD72
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
SDC: Gastrointestinal Disorders