title: Gender Differences in Elders' Participation in the National Cancer Screening Program: Evidence from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-12.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer-screening programs are effective in reducing cancer prevalence and mortality; however, cancer remains the leading cause of death in elderly people in Korea. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with elders' participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) and differences in screening rates by gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Original data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The sample consisted of 5,505 elderly individuals over age 60. Selected demographic variables, cancer screening participation, physical and psychological health status, and lifestyle were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NCSP participation rates decreased in both men and women as age increased. Private medical insurance (OR 95% CI: 1.04-1.78), one or more chronic disease (OR 95% CI: 1.07-1.71), and current smoker (OR 95% CI: 0.52-0.94) had the strongest associations with cancer screening participation among men after multivariate adjustment. In contrast, cancer screening participation among women was significantly associated only with living place (OR 95% CI: 1.06-2.203) after multivariate adjustment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective health promoting interventions for elders require individualized programs that address gender-related factors associated with elders' participation in cancer screening programs.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Family Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yang-Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyunghee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Statistics, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-do
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Cancer; National Cancer Screening Program; South Korea