Association between Socioeconomic Status and Cancer Screening in Koreans over 40 Years in Age Based on the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND We investigated the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and cancer screening in a Korean population aged 40 years or older. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 12,303 participants (5,284 men and 7,019 women) who participated in the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess participant's SES (household income, occupational, and educational status) and cancer screening behavior. RESULTS Compared to the lowest household income group, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for overall cancer screening of the highest income group were 2.113 (1.606-2.781) in men and 1.476 (1.157-1.883) in women; those for private cancer screening of the highest income group were 2.446 (1.800-3.324) in men and 2.630 (2.050-3.373) in women, while those for National Cancer Screening Programs (NCSP) in the highest income group were 1.076 (0.805-1.439) in men and 0.492 (0.388-0.623) in women. Compared to manual workers, ORs (95% CIs) for private cancer screening of office workers were 1.300 (1.018-1.660) in men and 0.822 (0.616-1.098) in women. In comparison to the least educated men, OR (95% CI) for private cancer screening of the most educated men was statistically significant (1.530 [1.117-2.095]). CONCLUSION Higher economic status was associated with higher rates of overall and private cancer screening in both sexes and a lower rate of NCSP in women. Male office workers and more educated individuals underwent private cancer screening at a higher rate than manual workers and less educated individuals, respectively.