"Sharp Rise in Breast Cancer Treatment Among Women... Over Half Are in Their 40s and 50s"

Doubled in Nine Years as New Cases Rise
Kim Yeji: "Ultrasound Needed in National Screening"

The number of female patients who received medical treatment for breast cancer last year nearly doubled compared to nine years ago. More than half of these patients were women in their 40s and 50s, considered middle-aged.

According to data submitted by Assemblywoman Kim Yeji of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, who received the information from the National Health Insurance Service on September 21, 2025, the number of women who received breast cancer-related medical care last year was 307,910. This represents an increase of 6.4% from the previous year (289,514), and a 95.7% rise compared to 2015 (157,373), nine years ago.

The number of women receiving breast cancer-related treatment has been steadily increasing, with 173,387 in 2016, 205,123 in 2018, 233,840 in 2020, and 272,129 in 2022.

The Pink Ribbon, the International Symbol of Breast Cancer

This trend appears to be due to both an increase in new breast cancer cases and the fact that surgery, treatment, and follow-up management often require a long period of time. According to cancer registration statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of new female breast cancer cases rose by 51.5%, from 19,402 in 2015 to 29,391 in 2022.

When examining the age distribution of women who received breast cancer-related treatment last year, those in their 50s accounted for the largest proportion at 34.6%, followed by those in their 60s (27.7%), 40s (20.0%), 70s (11.2%), 30s (3.3%), 80s (2.8%), and 20s (0.3%). More than half (54.6%) belonged to the middle-aged group in their 40s and 50s.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in South Korea and has a higher incidence in younger age groups compared to colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer.

Assemblywoman Kim pointed out, "Currently, the national health screening program provides mammography every two years for women aged 40 and above, but for many Korean women who have dense breast tissue, there is a high possibility that tumors may be missed with mammography alone." She emphasized, "The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the cure rate and the greater the chance of breast preservation. Therefore, ultrasound examinations should be introduced into the national screening system to improve early diagnosis rates."