[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Trainee Reporter Lee Seryeong] Tongyeong City, Gyeongnam Province, is temporarily extending the period for general health checkups and cancer screenings for 2021 until June 30 of this year.
The city followed the Ministry of Health and Welfare's guidelines for extending screening periods to guarantee screening opportunities for citizens who postponed health checkups due to reduced medical institution screenings and refraining from visiting screening centers amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Those subject to biennial checkups, including regional health insurance subscribers, workplace dependents, medical aid recipients, and office workers, can apply as health checkup candidates at the National Health Insurance Corporation branch or their workplace starting January 3 of this year. Non-office workers, who are subject to annual checkups, can receive screenings without a separate application.
The extension for national cancer screening applies to those born in odd-numbered years who did not receive screenings last year, medical aid recipients, the bottom 50% of health insurance subscribers based on premium criteria, and those aged 20 or older as notified by the National Health Insurance Corporation.
The screenings check for the presence of stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer, which have the highest incidence rates among Koreans. Individuals must apply for screenings at the corporation branch or customer center, and workplace subscribers must request additional registration at their workplace so that the employer can submit the workplace cancer screening candidate application form.
The Tongyeong Public Health Center stated, "Those with underlying diseases, including cancer, are more vulnerable to COVID-19, so we hope screenings, including cancer screenings, are completed within the year if possible."
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