Cancer screening in Koreans: a focus group approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Cancer represents a significant disease burden in Korea, with persistently low cancer screening rates.
• Understanding public beliefs and knowledge is crucial for improving cancer screening uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Korean adults' beliefs and knowledge regarding cancer screening.
• To identify preferred strategies for enhancing cancer screening utilization.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive study involving eight focus groups with 64 Koreans aged 40 and above.
• Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and opinions on cancer screening.
• Data analysis was conducted within the framework of the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Main Results:

• Key themes included low perceived susceptibility to cancer, perceived benefits like early detection and government support, and numerous barriers (e.g., lack of symptoms, distrust, cost, discomfort).
• Participants held incorrect knowledge about cancer causes (e.g., stress, personality).
• Preferred strategies involved group interventions, diverse information delivery, emphasis on prevention, accessible services, and improved provider interactions.

Conclusions:

• Addressing low perceived susceptibility, numerous barriers, and incorrect knowledge is vital for increasing cancer screening rates in Korea.
• Interventions should focus on modifying cultural beliefs, enhancing health knowledge, and improving the quality of healthcare services.