The effect of the introduction of the national lung cancer screening program on short-term mortality in Korea

Abstract

South Korea introduced the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) in 2019. This study investigated effect of NLCSP on one-year mortality individuals with a history lung cancer.This used 2018-2020 Health Insurance Service claims data. The difference-in-differences approach was to investigate participating between case and control groups before after intervention period. group included aged 54 74 years smoking ≥ 30 pack-years those <30 non-smokers. pre-intervention period from January 2018 June 2019 post-intervention July December 2020.The introduction related an overall decrease (-3.21 % points, 95 Confidence Interval (CI) -4.84 -1.58). Specifically, this reduction significant for cancer (lung cancer: -2.69 CI -4.24 -1.13). Furthermore, stronger associations were found older age, residing non-metropolitan areas, who visited healthcare institutions areas.The findings confirm relationship implementation eligible cancer, which is noteworthy considering that one first countries include into national screening program.