Checkups and Prevention
Health checkups, vaccinations and daily habits
How to have your national health check-up
- General health check-up (일반건강검진): age 20 and over, once every 2 years (whether this is your year depends on whether your birth year is odd or even)
- The national cancer screening program (국가암검진): stomach cancer (40+, every 2 years), colorectal cancer (50+, a stool test every year), liver cancer (40+, high-risk group, every 6 months), breast cancer (women 40+, every 2 years), cervical cancer (women 20+, every 2 years), lung cancer (heavy smokers aged 54~74, every 2 years)
- You can check whether you are due with the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단, 1577-1000) or in the The건강보험 app
If your result says 'suspected disease' or 'repeat test needed', do not put it off; have it checked at the relevant department. Taking the result sheet with you makes the appointment quicker.
Source: National Health Insurance Service · as of 2026-08-05
Result terms you often see on a check-up
- Borderline / suspected: it does not mean a disease is confirmed. It means more checking is needed
- Fatty liver: usually a matter of improving your lifestyle, but if liver enzymes are raised as well you need to see a doctor
- High cholesterol (dyslipidaemia): depending on the numbers, anything from lifestyle change to medication — see the heart and blood pressure board as well
- Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia: stomach cancer risk is somewhat higher, so regular follow-up endoscopy is recommended
- Lung nodule: the interval for follow-up CT is set by its size and shape. Please keep to the follow-up schedule you were given
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
The basics of looking after your health
- Quitting smoking is the single change with the biggest effect for your health (quit-smoking counselling line 1544-9030; free quit-smoking clinics at public health centers (보건소))
- Drink less: with alcohol, the less the better
- At least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise (brisk walking and so on) + strength training twice a week
- Around 7 hours of sleep, less salt, more vegetables and fruit
- Check your blood pressure, blood sugar and waist size regularly at home too
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have a stomach endoscopy and a colonoscopy?
Under the national screening program, stomach endoscopy is every 2 years from age 40. For the colon, the national program uses a faecal occult blood test (every year), and an abnormal result leads on to a colonoscopy. If you have had a polyp removed, it is important to follow the follow-up interval your doctor gave you (usually 3~5 years, depending on your risk).
Sources for this page
· 국민건강보험공단 (as of 2026-08-05)· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-05)
Last checked: 2026년 8월 5일
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