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Gender differences in awareness and practices of cancer prevention recommendations in Korea:
a cross-sectional survey
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Yoonjoo Choi, Naeun Kim, Jin-Kyoung Oh, Yoon-Jung Choi, Bohyun Park, Byungmi Kim
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Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025003. Published online January 15, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025003
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 Abstract
Summary
 PDF Supplementary Material
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Gender is a major determinant of health behaviors that influences cancer prevention awareness and practices. This study investigated the relationship of the awareness and practice rates of cancer prevention recommendations with gender and socioeconomic status.
METHODS We used data from the Korean National Cancer Prevention Awareness and Practice Survey (2023). The sample included 4,000 men and women aged 20-74 years. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to evaluate associations with the awareness and practices of cancer prevention, and a joinpoint regression analysis using age-standardized rates to analyze trends in awareness and practice rates from 2007 to 2023.
RESULTS The awareness rates were 79.4% and 81.2% for men and women, respectively. The overall practice rates were substantially lower (43.1% for men and 48.9% for women). For men, awareness rates did not differ significantly by socio-demographic characteristics, but practice rates increased with age (20-29: 15.9%; 60-74: 53.8%). For women, both awareness (20-29: 73.0%; 60-74: 85.7%) and practice (20-29: 16.8%; 60-74: 67.5%) rates increased with age. The easiest recommendations to follow were “reducing salt intake and avoiding burnt or charred foods” (men: 29.9%; women: 28.4%), whereas the most difficult recommendation was “engaging in regular physical activity” (men: 32.5%; women: 34.4%).
CONCLUSIONS While awareness of cancer prevention recommendations was high, the practice of these recommendations was low. Gender influenced changes in awareness and practice rates over time, reflecting a large gap in practice. Future research should explore appropriate intervention points for cancer prevention practices and the development of more effective cancer prevention policies.
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Summary
Korean summary
암 예방에 대한 인식은 남녀 모두 높은 수준이었으나, 실천에서는 성별 차이가 크게 나타났다.
효과적인 암 예방 정책 수립을 위해 성별에 따른 실천 격차를 고려한 전략이 필요하다.
Key Message
Many factors influence cancer prevention awareness and practice, and gender is a crucial determinant of health behaviour in general. This study found that while awareness was reasonably high among both men and women, there was a signifi- cant gender gap in practice. Given the variation in health behaviours by gender, further evaluation of gender effects is nec- essary to inform future policy interventions aimed at improving cancer prevention practices.
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The Korean National Codes Against Cancer: background of their establishment and the revision process
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Yoonjoo Choi, Jin-Kyoung Oh, Ayoung Byeon, Byungmi Kim
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Epidemiol Health. 2025;e2025027. Published online May 14, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025027
[Accepted]
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Abstract
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The Korean National Codes Against Cancer provide guidelines for cancer prevention. The inaugural edition was published in 2006, followed by a major revision in 2016. This study aimed to describe the historical context, scientific rationale, and revision process of these guidelines.
METHODS With rising cancer incidence in the early 2000s, the Korean government recognized the need for national cancer prevention guidelines, prompting the National Cancer Center to initiate their formulation. The Division of Cancer Prevention reviewed global literature on cancer trends and Korea-specific studies on cancer risk factors. The final set of 10 recommendations comprising the Korean National Codes Against Cancer was approved by the National Cancer Control Committee after achieving expert consensus on cancer prevention.
RESULTS The finalized guidelines are firmly grounded in scientific evidence. The 10 current recommendations include: (1) no smoking and avoidance of secondhand smoke; (2) consuming sufficient fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet; (3) reducing salt intake and avoiding burnt or charred foods; (4) limiting alcohol consumption; (5) engaging in regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week); (6) maintaining a healthy body weight; (7) receiving immunization against hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus; (8) practicing safe sex by maintaining a single sexual partner and using condoms; (9) following health and safety guidelines to avoid exposure to occupational carcinogens; and (10) undergoing regular cancer screening.
CONCLUSIONS This study detailed the sources and procedures involved in formulating and revising the Korean National Codes Against Cancer.
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