Mammograms in Korea

Living in South Korea and needing a mammogram? Learn more about taking care of breast health and finding clinics in the following blog post. The following article contains actionable support for finding resources across Korea.

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About Breast Cancer

Let’s start with the basics about breast cancer. Breast cancer, while prevalent worldwide, has a hopeful side in early detection. In 2020, female breast cancer overtook lung cancer as the top diagnosed cancer. For those of us living in South Korea, there’s encouraging news: from 2015 to 2019, Korea reported an impressive 93.6% 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer patients. Mammograms may play a vital role in these positive outcomes as the primary screening tool. And while it’s less common, it’s crucial to remember that men, too, can be diagnosed with breast cancer. We encourage you to keep reading if you’re hoping to get a Mammogram in Korea done soon!

Types of Breast Cancer Screenings

Please note that breast cancer screening recommendations in Korea may differ from those in other countries. For example, some physicians in Korea may recommend doing a mammogram and breast ultrasound. This is because Korean women have been found to have denser breast tissue, which can make detecting breast cancer harder with just a mammogram. Below are some descriptions of different types of screening procedures:

• Mammogram – an x-Ray that detects microcalcifications (indicators of early breast cancer)

• Breast Ultrasound – test that detects malignant tumors that are less than 1cm that are difficult to see on mammograms

• Breast Biopsy – sometimes done if a lesion is found on mammography or breast ultrasound. Used to rule out breast cancer

• Breast MRI – sometimes done if a lesion is found on mammography or breast ultrasound. Used to rule out breast cancer, but often more expensive

If you are going in for a screening in Korea, your health provider may do a mammogram, breast ultrasound, or a combination of the two. We recommend discussing with your healthcare provider about the best option for you. For this article, we will focus on mammograms as they are considered the primary screening option for breast cancer.

Why Should I Get a Mammogram in Korea?

Mammograms are an X-ray of the breast and are one of the preferred ways to detect breast cancer early. Mammograms are able to detect microcalcifications, which are calcium deposits. Mammary microcalcifications, while not a sure sign of breast cancer, can be a marker for breast cancer. Mammograms may be able to detect these small abnormalities, even before you can feel them with your own hands. Detecting breast cancer early can allow you to get ahead on treatment and may increase your chances of survivability.

If you’re hesitant to get a mammogram, we encourage you to read on! As an expat living in Korea, it’s important to keep up with routine screenings. If you follow the steps of this guide, you may find that getting a mammogram in Korea isn’t as complex of a process as you may think it is! As we will cover later, if you’re covered by the NHIS, getting a mammogram can also be quite affordable. We’ve also outlined what you can expect during your appointment so you can get an idea of what the process looks like.

When Should I Get a Mammogram in Korea?

According to the Korean Breast Cancer Society, it is recommended that women between the ages of 40-69 get screened for breast cancer every two years. However, this data is based on the Korean epidemiologic characteristics and recommendations may differ depending on the country you come from. For example, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screenings for women 40-74 years old every two years.

Individual risk factors like genetics for the BRCA gene mutation may increase your chances of breast cancer. In these cases, earlier breast cancer screenings may be recommended. However, this should be discussed with a doctor as the NHIS may not cover screenings before 40 years old. (verified with NHIS English line).

Mammogram Coverage in Korea

Mammogram coverage is dependent on your birth year and age. Even birth years (i.e. 1974) can get free screenings on an even year (i.e. 2022), while odd birth years (i.e. 1975) are only eligible to get free screenings on odd years (i.e. 2023). In addition, you must be over the age of 40 to qualify (verified with NHIS English services line). In the case of individual risk (i.e. family history, genetics) we suggest calling a clinic ahead of time.

Please be aware that for individuals who identify as male, coverage is a bit more ambiguous and will require you to call the clinic ahead of time for coverage details. In the case a mammogram is covered, the NHIS coverage guidelines are the same for both men and women.

NHIS Eligible Coverage

Depending on your visa type, if you have been living in Korea for longer than 6 months, you are likely enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). NHIS enrollment is compulsory for many foreigners and Korean nationals after living in-country for 6 months. However, enrollment does not apply to those living in Korea under SOFA status (US military and dependents). To learn more about your NHIS eligibility please refer to the NHIS eligibility guide or call the English NHIS Line at 033-811-2000.

Through NHIS, services are typically covered up to 90% however fees depend on the hospital or clinic you visit. Local clinics and hospitals are usually cheaper than university hospitals. It is important to call ahead of time to discuss coverage.

International Insurance Coverage (Non-NHIS)

For those who have international insurance or do not have NHIS, you may need to discuss directly with your insurance company to see which services are covered. Then, you may need to call the clinic/hospital you plan on visiting for pricing.

How do I get a Mammogram in Korea?

You can look for breast cancer screening services one of two ways.

Option 1: Use Naver or Kakao Maps to find locations

The first way is by searching for mammogram services through Naver Maps and KakaoMap. To find a clinic or hospital that offers breast cancer screening services, copy and paste “산부인과,” “산부의원” (Gynecological Clinic) or “유방암 검사” (Breast Cancer Screening) into Naver Maps or KakaoMap. Click here for information on how to use Naver Maps. Papago or other translation services may be needed to search and translate Korean terms.

Medical Terms to Know

The following medical terms may be helpful in finding the closest clinic or hospital that offer breast cancer screenings like mammograms. Copy and paste the following terms into Naver or Kakao maps to find locations near you:

• Breast – 유방 [yoo-bahng]
• Breast Cancer – 유방암 [yoo-bahng-ahm]
• Breast Cancer Screening – 유방암 검사 [yoo-bahng-ahm-geom-sah]
• Mammography – 유방촬영 검사 [yoo-bahng-cheol-yeong geom-sah]
• Hospital – 병원 [byeong-weon]
• Gynecological Clinic – 산부인과 / 산부의원 [sahn-boo-een-gwah / sahn-boo-ui-weon]

Option 2: Use the NHIS Website to Find Locations

The second option requires you to visit the NHIS website and use their search tool.

There may be some challenges involved with navigating the NHIS website to access the hospitals/clinics search tool. However, there may be some workarounds for these challenges.

Challenges of Navigating the NHIS Website

Although an English (Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese) version of the NHIS website exists, the English site may not have ALL of the NHIS services and tools available. The English (and other language) NHIS website mainly provides information specific to or most frequently used by foreign residents. The Korean version of the site includes all information that may or may not be relevant to the foreign population.

The NHIS website continues to update its database so this may change in the future. Currently, for mammograms, utilizing Google Translate on the Korean version of the NHIS website may provide more detailed information.

Navigating the NHIS website may require you to know some Korean or know how to navigate Korean websites using Google Translate. Google Translate doesn’t perfectly translate the entire website. For example, if you come across drop-down options, the drop-down list may not auto-translate. Having Papago on hand can help with such challenges.

Navigating the Korean version of the NHIS website

Now let’s dive into how to find clinics on the Korean site using Google Translate.

For searching hospitals and clinics that do mammograms, you will want to visit the following link: NHIS Hospitals and Clinics Search Tool.

Step 1: Activate Google Translate

When you enter the above webpage, make sure you are on the Korean version of the website. Then, at the top right of the Google search bar, click the Google Translate icon to auto-translate the page into your language of choice. If you don’t see this icon, you may need to add the extension to your browser.

Step 2: Choose your province (“do”) and city (“si”)

As shown in the image below, when selecting your “do” (or province), the populated answers will be in English. However, the City/County aka the “si” and Eup/Myeon/Dong will all be in Korean. You may need to use Papago to translate the City/County.

Step 3 (Optional): Choose your neighborhood (eup/myeon/dong)

If you would like to narrow down your search location to your specific neighborhood, you can choose your eup/myeon/dong to do so. However, keep in mind that rural areas of Korea may have a limited number of hospitals and clinics, especially ones with international help centers. Conducting a broader search will provide you with a larger list of options.

Step 4: Select the type of screening

For mammogram screenings, you will want to check the “breast cancer” box.

Step 5: Click Search

Click the red search button to view the results.

The results page will appear similarly to the image below. The search results may show a lot of information that looks unfamiliarly formatted. The image below details what each component of the search results reflects. You can click on the “Detail” button to learn more about the hospital/clinic.

IMPORTANT NOTE

It’s important to note that not all hospitals will have an international help desk or English-speaking services. We encourage you to use translation services like BBB Korea or Papago at your visit!

If you live in the Pyeongtaek or Seoul area, the limited list of hospitals below offers English support. More hospitals with English support may exist across the country, but you may need to call ahead to confirm.

Recommended Mammogram Locations

The following mammogram locations have been recommended by international residents living in South Korea in various foreigner support groups:

What to Expect During a Mammogram in Korea

You may have heard that mammograms can be painful which may have delayed you from seeking out mammogram services. Couple that with being in a foreign country, you may have put off getting screened altogether. We hope that by explaining what you can expect during a mammogram visit in Korea through a step-by-step process, we can bring some transparency so that you are prepared for what is to come!

Step 1: Make an Appointment

Once you have found a clinic you’re comfortable with and have checked your coverage (refer to How do I get a Mammogram and Mammogram Coverage above), call to make an appointment. You may be able to find a clinic or hospital that offers English services, but in case you don’t we suggest utilizing BBB Korea for free translation help.

Step 2: Arrive at the Clinic

When visiting a clinic or hospital that may or may not have English-speaking services, make sure to arrive prepared. Having Papago or the BBB Korea translation service on hand while at your appointment may help ease any language challenges you may face.

The clinic or hospital will likely ask for your ID (i.e. Alien/Foreign Registration Card) when you first arrive. You will likely meet with a doctor to assess your condition before going in to complete your mammography. Once you are called in to begin the mammography, you may be asked to change into a gown. Remove any accessories and undergarments that may obstruct view of the breast area.

Step 3: Getting the Mammogram

You will be guided to step up to the mammogram machine as depicted below. The mammography is performed by pressing each breast with a plastic plate to flatten it. The whole exam may take about 5 minutes or more. Mammograms are quite uncomfortable for most individuals. However, the pain of flattening each breast tends to lasts only a few seconds. Then you’re done!

Notification of results will vary by clinic and hospital. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider on how to best receive your results.

Conclusion

We hope that by offering tips on how to set up a mammography appointment and walking through the steps of a breast cancer screening appointment you will feel more confident in navigating the process. Remember, the hardest part is getting started! Don’t delay your essential screenings and go get your breast cancer screening today!

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