How Can You Find Korea's Cancer Incidence Rate for 2026?

This note does not contain official data directly presenting Korea's overall cancer incidence rate (total diagnosis counts across all cancer types). However, based on National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023, you can confirm 5-year relative survival rates by cancer type and some annual diagnosis counts.

Key takeaways

• This knowledge note does not include nationwide statistics showing the overall 'annual incidence rate' (crude rate or age-standardized rate) for all cancers in Korea.
• However, 5-year relative survival rates by cancer type can be confirmed based on National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023 (National Cancer Center Korea, Central Cancer Registry). For example: thyroid cancer 100.2%, breast cancer 94.7%, colorectal cancer 75.6%, stomach cancer 78.6%, liver cancer 40.4%, leukemia 55.7%.
• For some cancer types, annual diagnosis counts are also provided. In 2023 alone, more than 35,000 cases of thyroid cancer and about 30,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed (National Cancer Registration Statistics).
• Stomach cancer is described as one of the cancers most frequently diagnosed and surgically treated in Korea compared to the rest of the world; thyroid cancer is described as the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Korea; and colorectal cancer is described as the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in Korea.
• Both survival rates and diagnosis counts are nationwide aggregate figures, not the results of any specific hospital, and they are not numbers that predict any individual's outcome.

Why is it hard to give an exact figure for 'incidence rate' itself?

• Incidence rate is an indicator referring to the number of newly diagnosed cancer patients per 100,000 population. However, since this knowledge note only provides survival rates by cancer type and diagnosis counts for certain years, there isn't sufficient basis to state the overall cancer incidence rate as a number or to give an exact ranking among cancer types.
• Still, there are facts that can be confirmed from the information included in the note. Thyroid cancer is described as one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Korea, stomach cancer is described as a cancer that Korea has diagnosed and surgically treated at a globally high rate, and colorectal cancer is described as the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in Korea.
• These descriptions are qualitative statements indicating rank, and the note provides no basis for converting them into exact annual incidence figures (counts or rates).

How do the survival rates and diagnosis counts differ by cancer type?

• The 5-year relative survival rate based on National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023 varies by cancer type: thyroid cancer 100.2% (meaning no difference in survival compared to the general population of the same age), breast cancer 94.7%, colorectal cancer 75.6%, stomach cancer 78.6%, liver cancer 40.4%, and leukemia (overall) 55.7%.
• Compared with U.S. SEER statistics, Korea shows higher rates for some cancer types: stomach cancer is 78.6% in Korea versus 39.8% in the U.S. (SEER 2016–2022), liver cancer is 40.4% versus 21.9%, colorectal cancer is 75.6% versus 65.4%, and breast cancer is 94.7% versus 91.9%. A significant part of this gap is explained not only by treatment technology but also by differences in early-detection rates.
• Korea conducts national screening programs including gastroscopy and mammography every two years starting at age 40, and annual fecal occult blood testing starting at age 50 (followed by colonoscopy if positive), which is described as contributing to a relatively high proportion of cancers being found at an early stage.
• Conversely, leukemia shows a higher rate in the U.S. — 55.7% in Korea versus 68.6% in the U.S. — which is explained by the fact that the composition of leukemia cases (ratio of acute to chronic types, age at diagnosis) differs between the two countries, making a simple comparison difficult.

FAQ — Are these figures from reliable official sources?

Yes, all figures are drawn from official cancer registry statistics: National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023 (National Cancer Center Korea, Central Cancer Registry) and U.S. SEER (2016–2022). However, these are nationwide aggregate averages, not treatment outcomes from any specific hospital or medical institution, and under Korean medical law, hospital-specific performance figures are not permitted to be used in advertising.

FAQ — How can I find out the exact incidence rate or ranking for my specific cancer type?

Since this note does not include a complete statistical table of overall cancer incidence, we can only share confirmed figures such as survival rates by cancer type and annual diagnosis counts. If you need more precise incidence figures, we recommend checking the original National Cancer Registration Statistics data directly, and any matters related to your personal diagnosis, staging, or treatment should always be discussed with your attending medical team.

Sources and notes

• This article was written based on National Cancer Registration Statistics 2019–2023 (National Cancer Center Korea, Central Cancer Registry), the National Cancer Information Center, and SEER (U.S. National Cancer Institute) data for 2016–2022.
• This content is intended to provide general medical information, and actual diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your medical team.