Going to the doctor is not something many people look forward to. The unease associated with doctors’ visits can increase when you are concerned you may have a potentially serious diagnosis like skin cancer. Add in the uncomfortableness that comes with living in a new country where you may not know the language, customs, and culture, and you may find your anxiety at an all time high.
My Lens on Skin Cancer Screening While Living in Korea
As someone who is in Korea as a military spouse, does not speak Korean, and had never encountered the Korean healthcare system before, I definitely felt this unease when I went to my first skin cancer screening hospital visit in Korea. This blog details my experience on SOFA with TRICARE insurance visiting The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent’s Hospital in Suwon for the first time for a skin cancer screening appointment.
NOTE: If you are an individual who is not affiliated with the U.S. military in Korea, your experience may differ from mine due to differing immigration/visa statuses. However, regardless of visa type, this blog post may have some useful information for anyone looking into getting a skin cancer screening done.
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Importance of Skin Cancer Screenings
Skin cancer has a significant impact on a substantial proportion of individuals, affecting 1 in 5 individuals before they reach the age of 70. It stands as the 17th most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. In 2020 alone, skin cancer claimed the lives of over 57,000 individuals.
Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope in the face of this alarming statistic. Early detection and timely treatment have proven to be highly effective in curing most cases of skin cancer. Recognizing the importance of proactive measures, the Skin Cancer Foundation strongly advocates for annual skin exams conducted by dermatologists. By prioritizing regular screenings, you can take a proactive stance against this disease.
Disclaimers
The information in this blog post is not sponsored. The information shared below is based on personal experience. South of Seoul does not receive monetary compensation for posting this blog post.
Background: The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent Hospital
St. Vincent Hospital is a 900-bed medical facility located in Suwon, South Korea. It has an International Healthcare Center which provides English-speaking assistance to foreigners receiving care throughout the hospital. The hospital serves individuals with Korean health insurance (NHIS) as well as select international insurances. St. Vincent Hospital also has an agreement with TRICARE to provide services for US Forces and their families. To find out which international insurance St. Vincent accepts, call 031-249-8016.
Image source: https://map.naver.com/v5/entry/place/11686909?entry=plt&c=15,0,0,0,dh
For all types of insurance, you need a referral from a smaller clinic prior to your visit to St. Vincent’s or it could cost more due to allowed deductions. Such referrals for St. Vincent’s apply to both Korean insurance holders and international insurance holders. Insurance coverage may vary depending on type of insurance and type of service received. Check with your insurance company to find out how much they may cover.
St. Vincents Hospital
1577-8588
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
A 900-bed medical center in Suwon, with an International Health Center to accommodate foreigners visiting and residing in Korea.
Background: St. Vincent’s International Healthcare Center
The International Healthcare Center at St. Vincent’s helps foreigners living in Korea receive medical support services in a comfortable environment. The Center is located on the second floor of St. Vincent’s Hospital. It connects foreign patients with a variety of medical services. It also has English-speaking doctors who conduct medical examinations and physical exams for visa issuance. The International Healthcare Center also acts as a liaison for foreigners who have appointments in different areas of the hospital.
What prompted me to schedule a skin cancer screening?
I visited St. Vincent’s Hospital after noticing that a spot on my skin had changed color and shape. With a history of skin cancer in my family, I knew it was important to see a doctor right away. Nonetheless, I still put off making an appointment for several months. I told myself it was probably nothing, and hoped it would magically disappear. However, I found that as soon as I made the appointment and experienced how easy the process was, I wished I had made the appointment back when my concerns first began.
Getting a Referal from my U.S. Military Primary Care Doctor
As a U.S. military spouse living in Pyeongtaek, I see a primary care physician on the Camp Humphrey’s U.S. military base. I have TRICARE insurance instead of the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
I decided to schedule an appointment with my primary care doctor on base after noticing a small spot on my skin had darkened in color over the past several months. When I went in for this appointment, the doctor quickly looked at the area, and asked me several questions including:
- how long the spot had been on my skin
- what changes I had noticed regarding the spot
- if I had a family history of skin cancer
After my doctor’s assessment, he referred me to an off-base Korean dermatologist at The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent’s Hospital for further evaluation.
Having TRICARE insurance, I needed a referral from my primary care provider before I could schedule with a dermatologist at St. Vincent’s for the skin cancer check. The referral took about a week to process.
Scheduling with St. Vincent’s Hospital
Once my referral was approved, I received a call from St. Vincent’s International Health Care Center. The representative spoke English, and offered me an appointment with a dermatologist in one week. In the U.S. I’ve had to wait several months to see a dermatologist, so this quick turnaround was a relief to me. She asked that I bring my U.S. Military ID to the appointment for insurance purposes.
To schedule an appointment with St. Vincent’s dermatology with Korean health insurance (NHIS), you will need a referral if you would like your insurance to cover a certain percentage of the cost. Insurance coverage varies depending on your provider and the type of service you receive. If you do not have a referral, the cost of treatment may significantly increase. This means that your insurance may cover a smaller percentage of the appointment or you may have to pay entirely out of pocket.
You may call the hospital at 031-249-8016 for more information about scheduling an appointment with dermatology. The International Health Care Center has representatives available who are fluent in English and Russian.
Arriving for my Appointment
St. Vincent’s Hospital has several well-marked parking garages available. On arrival, I found myself a spot in the basement garage. Then, I followed the flow of people to find the main entrance of the hospital. Once inside, all the signs and people overwhelmed me. However, an information desk attendant kindly provided me with directions to the International Healthcare Center.
Image Source: Google Maps Image by 아스라
Image Source: Google Maps Images by Taegab Han
NOTE: After my appointment ended, the International Healthcare Center gave me a parking pass to show the attendant on my way out for free parking. If you are not offered a parking pass and need one, don’t forget to ask for one on your way out.
Check-In Process
I checked in at the front desk inside the International Healthcare Center by showing a Photo ID (I used my US military ID). They gave me a form with my name and insurance information on it. The staff instructed me to show this form to my doctor during the appointment. Then, they instructed me to sit in the waiting area. After a short wait, my name appeared on the electronic screen, and I went in to see the doctor.
Seeing the Dermatologist for Skin Cancer Concerns
Unlike in the U.S., where a medical assistant or nurse brings you to a patient room to wait for the doctor, I entered directly into the doctor’s office. The doctor sat behind a computer and there was no patient exam table in sight. I sat at a chair across from the doctor’s desk. The doctor asked me a few general questions about my medical history in English. Then, she briefly examined the spot on my skin.
Afterwards, the doctor instructed me to sit in the waiting area until called into the procedure room for the official screening. The doctor warned me that it may be difficult communicating with the nurses during the procedure since I do not speak Korean. This made me a little nervous, but I ended up communicating with the staff fine.
Having the Procedure
After waiting for several minutes, a nurse from the procedure room called my name to come in. The nurse who did my procedure actually did speak English to my relief. She explained what she was doing throughout the process and she gave me aftercare instructions.
My Skin Biopsy
First, I received a numbing injection. Then, the nurse performed a skin biopsy. A skin biopsy procedure removes cells from the surface of your body so that they can be tested in a lab. There are three types of skin biopsy procedures:
- Shave biopsy: The surface of the skin is scraped using a razor-like tool to gather a cell sample from the top layers of the skin. Stitches are usually not needed.
- Punch biopsy: A round-tipped cutting tool removes a small core of skin, including deeper layers (epidermis, dermis, and top layer of fat). Stitches may be required to close the wound.
- Excisional biopsy: An entire lump or irregular area of skin is removed using a scalpel. The sample includes healthy skin and deeper layers. Stitches are often needed to close the wound.
I received a punch biopsy. Thanks to the numbing injection, I did not feel the biopsy at all. The whole procedure took less than 10 minutes.
Check Out
After the procedure, I couldn’t remember my way back to the International Healthcare Center, so I asked for directions from an information desk again. Once I was back in the International Healthcare Center, they scheduled me for a follow up appointment two weeks later to review my results with the doctor. They also gave me a prescription antibiotic ointment and told me to apply it to the affected area twice daily.
My visit and the prescription were both fully covered by my TRICARE insurance. If you use NHIS, you can call the NHIS hotline to learn about your coverage.
NHIS Hotline
0338112000
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
This phone number takes you to an NHIS agent who can answer any and all questions you have about the Korean national health insurance including cost and coverage. English, Russian, Chinese and other language services are available. Note: It may be difficult for a call to go through during the lunch hour (12pm-1pm)
Follow-Up
My follow-up visit for results went similarly to my first. The International Healthcare Center escorted me to the dermatology department, and an English-speaking dermatologist explained my biopsy was negative for skin cancer. She offered to remove the spot for cosmetic purposes if desired, but otherwise stated I did not need any additional follow-up visits.
Take Action, Get Screened
Fortunately, my biopsy results came back negative for skin cancer. However, others may have a different experience. Taking immediate action by getting screened when you suspect skin cancer can potentially save your life.
Make it a point to actively check your skin once a month for any new, changing, or unusual signs. Additionally, take the proactive step of scheduling an appointment with your doctor without hesitation if you have any concerns. By maintaining vigilance and actively participating in your skin health, you can assume control and ensure early detection and intervention, if necessary.
Schedule an appointment with St. Vincent’s Hospital online.
Search Naver for a Clinic or Hospital that offers Cancer Screenings
To find a clinic near you that does cancer screenings, copy and paste 암검진 (cancer screening) in Naver or Kakao Maps. The clinics that come up from this search may offer varying types of cancer screenings. Call ahead to double check that the clinic offers the specific type of cancer screening that you are looking for. If you need over-the-phone language interpretation assistance, use BBB Korea to help make the call and set up an appointment.
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Olivia Bowman is a military spouse living in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology with certificates in Global Health and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In April 2023, she received her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Healthcare Organization and Policy.
With a background in healthcare, Ms. Bowman is passionate about increasing access to primary and preventative care, particularly for rural communities like the one she grew up in.
Through her practicum with the South of Seoul Public Health Program (SOS Public Health) in the fall of 2022, Ms. Bowman completed a Needs Assessment aimed at assessing and identifying the healthcare access needs of the international community residing in Korea.
