Cancer Research and Treatment

Original Articles

Korean Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines for Asymptomatic, average-Risk Adults: The 2025 Revision: EunKyo Kang, Jae Myung Cha, Seo Young Kang, Kiheon Lee, Su Young Kim, Younghoon Kim, An Na Seo, Hyo-Jin Kang, Jong Keon Jang, Kwang-Pil Ko, Aesun Shin, Dae Kyung Sohn, Youngki Hong, Eun-Jung Cho, Minje Han, Soo Young Kim, Hyeon Ji Lee, Chang Kyun Choi, Mina Suh; Received January 5, 2026 Accepted February 27, 2026 Published online March 13, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2026.014 [Accepted]

Abstract PDF: Purpose
To develop the 2025 update to the Korean colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guidelines by systematically assessing recent evidence, integrating domestic data, and addressing changes since the 2015 guideline revision, and accordingly, provide an evidence-based standard for clinicians and policymakers.
Materials and Methods
A multidisciplinary committee developed the guidelines using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. The process involved establishing three Key Questions (KQs) focused on efficacy, accuracy, and optimal age and interval for screening. A systematic review of international guidelines and primary literature (327 studies included) was conducted. A utility-based analysis using the Markov model was also performed to determine optimal screening ages and intervals.
Results
The review identified high-certainty evidence for Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) in reducing CRC mortality and moderate-certainty evidence for colonoscopy. Evidence for CT colonography (CTC) and stool DNA testing showed very low certainty. Based on this synthesis and cost-utility analysis, the committee conditionally recommends screening for asymptomatic, average-risk adults aged 45–74 years using either colonoscopy every 10 years or FIT every 1–2 years. CTC and stool DNA testing were not recommended owing to insufficient evidence.
Conclusion
The 2025 Korean Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening provide the latest evidence-based recommendations tailored to the domestic context. By conditionally adopting both colonoscopy and FIT for individuals aged 45–74 years, these guidelines aim to optimize public health outcomes and reduce the colorectal cancer burden in South Korea.

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Genitourinary cancer

Determinants of Prostate Cancer Screening in Korean Men: A Nationwide Study Using the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey 2023: Giap Viet Nguyen, Kyeongmin Lee, Hyeon Ji Lee, EunKyo Kang, Mina Suh, Jae Kwan Jun, Kui Son Choi; Cancer Res Treat. 2025;57(2):539-546. Published online October 29, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2024.879

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Purpose
Research on the prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa) screening and reasons for undergoing screening is limited. We aimed to identify the factors influencing PCa screening behavior and explore the underlying motivations among Korean men.
Materials and Methods
This cross-sectional study used data from the 2023 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, which employs a nationally representative random sampling method. This study included 1,784 men aged 40-74 years. The respondents reported their experiences with PCa screening. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with participation in PCa screening.
Results
The lifetime PCa screening rate was 18.6%. Among screening modalities, transrectal ultrasonography was the most frequently used (31.9%), followed by prostate-specific antigen tests (25.6%) and digital rectal examinations (21.5%). The multivariable analysis identified several factors that significantly increased the likelihood of screening participation, including older age, living with a spouse, poor self-reported health, and abstinence from alcohol consumption in the previous 12 months. Men who had undergone colorectal cancer screening were more likely to participate in PCa screening (adjusted odds ratio, 4.01; 95% confidence interval, 2.03 to 7.93) than those who had not. The primary motivations for screening were recommendations from family or social networks (31.9%) and inclusion in health examination packages (24.3%), whereas healthcare provider recommendations (18%) and symptomatic concerns (5.7%) were the least influential.
Conclusion
Our findings highlight the importance of providing evidence-based information for PCa screening recommendations and the need for improved communication and implementation of a shared decision-making approach for PCa screening in Korea.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Global viewpoints: evolving epidemiology and treatment patterns of prostate cancer in Asia
Kagenori Ito, Keiichiro Mori, Rajeev Kumar, Ravindra B. Sabnis, Bannakij Lojanapiwat, Takahiro Kimura, Shin Egawa
BJU International.2025; 136(6): 970. CrossRef

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Special Article

Trends in Cancer-Screening Rates in Korea: Findings from the National Cancer Screening Survey, 2004-2023: EunKyo Kang, Kui Son Choi, Jae Kwan Jun, Yeol Kim, Hyeon Ji Lee, Chang Kyun Choi, Tae Hee Kim, Sun Hwa Lee, Mina Suh; Cancer Res Treat. 2025;57(1):28-38. Published online August 2, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2024.325

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Purpose
This study aimed to report the overall national trends in the rates of cancer screening based on recommendations and provide insights into the changing trends of these rates across different demographics.
Materials and Methods
This study used data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS), which surveys nationwide cancer-screening rates and includes 4,500 individuals meeting the Korean National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) protocol age criteria. Cancer-screening rates were assessed using structured questionnaires; yearly trends were analyzed for both lifetime cancer-screening rates and rates of screening based on recommendations, and subgroup analyses were performed based on age and sex.
Results
The rates of cancer screening based on recommendations showed significant increments: the stomach cancer-screening rate increased from 39.2% in 2004 to 77.5% in 2023 (3.50% per year), the liver cancer-screening rate increased from 20.0% to 48.8% (4.30% per year), and the colorectal cancer, increased from 19.9% to 70.7% (5.15% per year). The breast cancer-screening rate increased from 33.2% to 72.7% (2.88% per year), and the cervical cancer, increased from 58.3% to 70.2% (1.08% per year). Despite some differences, particularly in relation to sociodemographic factors, screening rates increased significantly for all cancer types.
Conclusion
Cancer-screening rates in Korea increased consistently from 2004 to 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of the national cancer-screening program. However, the increments in breast, cervical and lung cancer-screening rates were relatively lower, indicating the need for additional efforts and strategies.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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Practice of Cytopathology in Korea: A 40‐Year Evolution Through Standardization, Digital Transformation, and Global Partnership
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Persistent income-related inequalities in cancer screening utilisation in South Korea: Evidence from repeated cross-sectional data, 2013–2023
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Yuntong Wang, Dong-Woo Choi, Sangwon Lee, Jialin Mao, Art Sedrakyan, Xiang Shu, Kui Son Choi, Heejung Chae, Eunji Choi
Gastric Cancer.2026; 29(3): 506. CrossRef
The impact of an organized screening program on gastric cancer incidence: a quasi-experimental study
Dianqin Sun, Duco T Mülder, Kyu-Won Jung, Jin Young Park, Mina Suh, Yige Li, Daan Nieboer, Chisato Hamashima, Weiran Han, Manon C W Spaander, Uri Ladabaum, Robert J Huang, James F O’Mahony, Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar
International Journal of Epidemiology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
International trends in cancer mortality revisited: Japan’s site-specific progress and remaining challenges until 2024
Kota Katanoda, Hirokazu Tanaka, Yuri Ito
Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Temporal trends and future projections of colorectal cancer burden in East Asia: an analysis of GBD 2021 data for China, South Korea, and Japan (1990–2050)
Yuren Zhang, Yongchao Zhang, Keqiang Lu, Huirong Zhu
International Journal of Surgery.2026; 112(3): 8164. CrossRef
Source-specific short-term-ozone exposure and specific cancer mortality risk: A multi-country study in 11,215 communities
Pei Yu, Rongbin Xu, Wenzhong Huang, Yanming Liu, Zhengyu Yang, Michael J. Abramson, Eric Lavigne, Simon Hales, Lidia Morawska, Paulo H.N. Saldiva, Fay H. Johnston, Luke Knibbs, Geoffrey Morgan, Guy B. Marks, Jane Heyworth, Ho Kim, Kraichat Tantrakarnapa,
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Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
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Association Between Suicidal Ideation and Cancer Screening Uptake: Results from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Korea
Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
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From pilot to policy: what Korea’s LDCT program teaches us about National Lung Cancer Screening
Lisa Jungblut
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Current Status of the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea: History, Achievements, and Future Directions
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Preventive Medicine Reports.2025; 59: 103242. CrossRef
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Association of Elevated Serum Triglycerides with Colorectal Cancer Risk: Findings from a Large-scale Prospective Cohort of Korean Adults
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