Health Checkup Guide by Age

Regular health checkups are the most effective way to detect diseases early and increase treatment success rates. Particularly for conditions common among Koreans such as stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, early detection can achieve 5-year survival rates exceeding 90%, while late-stage discovery dramatically reduces survival chances. South Korea has one of the world's best health screening systems, with the National Health Screening Program enabling all citizens to receive affordable checkups. Workplace subscribers have costs covered by employers, while regional subscribers can receive screenings with minimal personal expense. Health checkups not only identify diseases but also provide opportunities to assess health status and encourage lifestyle improvements. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels helps prevent chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. As age increases, disease risk rises, making thorough screening increasingly important after age 40. Those with family history face 20-30% higher disease risk than the general population, necessitating consultation with physicians to determine additional screening needs. Checkup results must be reviewed with physicians for accurate understanding, and any abnormal findings should prompt immediate detailed examinations. Neglecting screening results allows diseases to progress, making treatment more difficult.

Korea's National Health Screening Program, operated by the National Health Insurance Service, provides coverage for both workplace and regional subscribers. General health screenings occur every two years, with office workers eligible biennially and non-office workers annually. Screening candidates receive annual notifications from the Health Insurance Service via mail or text, and can receive checkups at designated screening institutions. Approximately 10,000 screening facilities nationwide enable convenient access near residential areas. General health screening items include physical measurements, blood pressure checks, blood tests, urine tests, and chest X-rays as basic examinations. Those aged 40 and above receive gastroscopy or upper GI series every two years, while those 50 and above undergo annual colorectal cancer screening. Cancer screening occurs separately from general health checkups, covering stomach cancer (40+), colorectal cancer (50+), liver cancer (40+ high-risk), lung cancer (54-74 high-risk), breast cancer (40+ women), and cervical cancer (20+ women). Screening costs are mostly covered by the Health Insurance Service and government, with general health screenings requiring no personal expense and cancer screenings requiring only 10% personal contribution. Medical aid recipients receive completely free screenings.

Ages 20-30 represent a foundation-building period where basic health screenings often suffice. However, those with family history or specific symptoms require additional screenings. Women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 20, receiving tests every two years. The 40s mark when disease onset genuinely begins. Regular gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and abdominal ultrasounds become necessary, with women requiring mammography every two years. Men should prioritize blood pressure and blood sugar tests for early detection of hypertension and diabetes. The 50s see dramatically increased cancer incidence, requiring comprehensive screening for stomach, colorectal, lung, and liver cancers. Smokers should receive low-dose chest CT scans every two years, while hepatitis B or C carriers need liver cancer screening every six months. Ages 60 and above require particular attention to cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and carotid ultrasounds check cardiovascular health, while women need bone density tests every two years. Additionally, eye examinations for cataracts and glaucoma become important. Those with family history should begin screening 5-10 years earlier than recommended ages. For example, if parents had colorectal cancer, starting colonoscopy at age 40 is recommended.

Gastroscopy is the most accurate method for early detection of stomach cancer, the most common cancer among Koreans. Compared to upper GI series, it offers higher accuracy and enables immediate tissue biopsy when abnormalities are detected. Those aged 40 and above should receive gastroscopy every two years. Prior to gastroscopy, fasting for at least 8 hours is required. If choosing sedation endoscopy, driving afterward is prohibited, so attending with a guardian is advisable. Sedation endoscopy minimizes discomfort but incurs additional costs. Colonoscopy is the most effective method for detecting colorectal cancer and polyps. Since colon polyps can develop into colorectal cancer, immediate removal upon detection prevents cancer development. Those aged 50 and above should receive colonoscopy every five years, with more frequent testing for those with family history. Prior to colonoscopy, bowel preparation is necessary. Following prescribed dietary restrictions the day before and taking bowel cleansing agents to empty the colon ensures accurate examination. Insufficient bowel preparation may require re-examination. Endoscopy results are immediately available, with final results for tissue biopsies provided 1-2 weeks later. If abnormalities are found, consultation with physicians establishes additional testing or treatment plans.

Women require specialized health screenings according to life stages. Starting at age 20, cervical cancer screening should occur every two years, with PAP smears enabling early detection of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Women aged 40 and above need mammography every two years. Breast cancer is among the most common cancers in Korean women, with early detection achieving over 90% treatment success rates. Monthly breast self-examinations are also recommended. Those with family history or dense breast tissue should consider additional breast ultrasounds. Ultrasound can detect small lesions missed by mammography, and may be more accurate for younger women. Bone density tests should occur at ages 54 and 66. Post-menopausal women face increased osteoporosis risk, which can lead to fractures significantly reducing quality of life. Calcium and vitamin D intake plus regular exercise prevent osteoporosis. Women planning pregnancy or of childbearing age should receive rubella antibody tests and thyroid function tests in advance. Additionally, ovarian function tests can assess pregnancy potential.

Men tend to neglect health checkups compared to women, yet face higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and lung disease, making regular screening crucial. Those who smoke, drink, or experience high stress require extra attention. Men aged 50 and above should receive annual prostate cancer screening (PSA). Prostate cancer shows no early symptoms, making detection possible only through screening, with very high treatment success rates for early detection. Elevated PSA levels or family history require additional testing. Smokers need lung cancer screening every two years. Low-dose chest CT detects lung cancer much more accurately than standard chest X-rays. Those with 30 pack-years or more (one pack daily for 30 years or two packs daily for 15 years) must receive lung cancer screening. Men at high liver disease risk need liver cancer screening every six months. Those with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, or fatty liver face elevated liver cancer risk, requiring regular abdominal ultrasounds and blood tests (AFP). For cardiovascular disease prevention, regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol is essential. Those 40 and above should receive annual electrocardiograms, with family history or risk factors warranting additional tests like echocardiograms and carotid ultrasounds.