# Cancer screening rules in Korea

> The six programs have separate ages and intervals; liver and lung screening require additional high-risk criteria.

Korea Checkup Guide separates a reference rule comparison from an individual NHIS decision. Use the source-specific conditions for the screening year.

Written by the Mirebom Checkup Society editorial team on October 23, 2026. Canonical address: https://kcheckupguide.org/topics/cancer-screening.

## What are the six cancer-screening age rules?

The six programs have separate ages and intervals; liver and lung screening require additional high-risk criteria.

Stomach, breast and cervical screening have a normal two-year cycle, while colorectal screening is annual. Liver screening uses a six-month interval in the specified high-risk group. A general-screening result must not be reused as the entitlement decision for every cancer test.

The lung program is restricted to the specified high-risk group within ages54–74. A smoking duration alone does not settle entitlement: the official conditions combine smoking history, current status and recorded program criteria. The calculator shows a conditional row and does not collect smoking or hepatitis history.

**National cancer screening age and interval (NCC)**

| Cancer | Age/sex | Interval | Risk condition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Stomach | 40+, all | 2 years | None in base age rule |
| Colorectal | 50+, all | 1 year | None in base age rule |
| Breast | 40+, female | 2 years | None in base age rule |
| Cervical | 20+, female | 2 years | None in base age rule |
| Liver | 40+, all | 6 months | Liver cirrhosis/hepatitis risk records |
| Lung | 54–74, all | 2 years | Specified smoking-risk criteria |

## Which national screening items depend on age?

Age and sex determine additional examinations, while prior tests and specific exclusions still matter.

The age used in this reference tool is the screening year minus birth year. It is a calendar-year comparison for program conditions, not a calculation of your exact age on your birthday. The tool requests no full date of birth.

Mental-health examination windows after age 35 can be used once within a stated age band. A birth year cannot reveal whether that opportunity has already been used. These results therefore identify an age condition to check rather than confirming a new benefit.

**Selected age-based items; official notice remains the basis**

| Item | Age condition | Additional condition |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lipids | Men24+ / women40+, every4 years | Compare previous test record |
| Hepatitis B | 40 | Carriers and immune people excluded |
| Hepatitis C antibody | 56 | Compare with NHIS record |
| Bone density | Women54,60,66 | Age/sex condition |
| Lung function | 56,66 | From 2026 |
| Cognitive function | 66+, every2 years | Compare actual record |
| Depression | 20–34 every2 years;35–39 once; each decade40–79 once | Prior participation needed |
| Early psychosis | 20–34, every2 years | Prior participation needed |
| Lifestyle | 40,50,60,70 | Scheduled age |
| Physical function | 66,70,80 | Scheduled age |
| Dental plaque | 40 | Oral examination item |

## Does an abnormal screening result confirm disease?

A screening result can identify a need for further assessment; diagnosis and follow-up require the clinical pathway stated in the result.

The result report and its reference range belong to the examination that was actually performed. A normal result cannot answer questions about every disease, and an abnormal flag alone does not establish a diagnosis. Keep the report available for the clinician who will review it.

Some national-screening findings have a defined confirmatory-test support pathway. The supported disease, permitted institution type, time limit and number of visits differ. A private optional test and a national confirmatory benefit must not be treated as the same entitlement.

## What else do people ask about Cancer screening rules in Korea?

### Can foreign insured residents use national screening?

Eligible foreign insured residents use the applicable NHIS program conditions. Nationality alone does not replace current insurance and target records.

### Is the calculator an official eligibility lookup?

No. It compares published rules locally and has no access to personal NHIS records or employer lists.

### Why can a past test change the answer?

Some items are offered once in an age band, while treatment or a previous examination can affect selection or deferral.

### Can an annual worker get every cancer test annually?

The annual non-office rule applies to general screening. Cancer programs retain their own age, risk and interval conditions.

### Does a blank statistic mean zero?

No. Blank numerical snapshots are uncollected or incompatible records and are never replaced with estimated observations.

## Where do these numbers come from?

- [Health Screening Implementation Standards (2026-6)](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/admRulInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000272270) - Ministry of Health and Welfare
- [National health screening](https://health.kdca.go.kr/healthinfo/biz/health/gnrlzHealthInfo/gnrlzHealthInfo/gnrlzHealthInfoView.do?cntnts_sn=6671) - Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
- [Insurance Benefits](https://www.nhis.or.kr/english/wbheaa02600m01.do) - National Health Insurance Service
- [National Cancer Screening Program](https://www.cancer.go.kr/lay1/S1T261C262/contents.do) - National Cancer Information Center