Breast Cancer Patients Increase by 30.5% in 4 Years... "Regular Screening Recommended at Age 50"

Medical staff performing breast cancer surgery to enhance understanding of the article

Due to westernized eating habits and other factors, the number of breast cancer patients in South Korea has been steadily increasing. Experts recommend that “since the survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 90% when detected early, people in their 50s should definitely undergo regular health check-ups.”

According to the “Health Insurance Treatment Status of Breast Cancer (C50) Patients” announced by the National Health Insurance Service on the 25th, the number of breast cancer patients receiving treatment increased by 30.5% over four years, from 206,308 in 2017 to 269,313 in 2021. The average annual growth rate was 6.9%. When looking at breast cancer patients by age group, those in their 50s accounted for the largest share at 34.9% as of 2021, followed by those in their 60s (25.9%), 40s (22.4%), and 70s (9.4%). According to the 2019 cancer registration statistics (National Cancer Registration Project), breast cancer most frequently occurs in the late 40s, followed by the early 50s.

Professor Heo Ho, a surgeon at the National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital, said, “In South Korea, due to westernized dietary habits and decreased childbirth rates, the median age of breast cancer patients is gradually shifting older.” He added, “The median age of breast cancer patients is 52.3 years, which has increased compared to 46.9 years in 2000.” However, he explained, “Unlike Western countries where the incidence of breast cancer continues to increase into the late 60s and 70s, South Korea still shows a pattern where the peak occurs in the late 40s and then declines, so it is necessary to monitor future trends.”

The total health insurance medical expenses for breast cancer patients have been increasing along with the rise in patient numbers. The total cost rose by 70.2%, from 796.7 billion KRW in 2017 to 1.3562 trillion KRW in 2021. The increase rate in outpatient medical expenses was 79.4% (497.7 billion KRW → 893 billion KRW), higher than that of inpatient expenses (54.9%, 299 billion KRW → 463.1 billion KRW).

Breast cancer occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors for breast cancer include alcohol consumption, overweight or obesity after menopause, and oral contraceptive use. Research shows that moderate alcohol consumption and regular exercise to control weight can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Since breast cancer generally shows no symptoms in its early stages, it is important to confirm its presence through regular health screenings. Early treatment results in a survival rate of 93.8%. Professor Heo stated, “The highest risk period for breast cancer recurrence is within 2 to 3 years after treatment, and even after recurrence, patients can manage the cancer for a long time through treatment and maintain their daily lives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.