Cancer care resources in Korea are heavily concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, resulting in significant disparities in access to care for patients living in other urban and rural regions. Many patients from provincial areas are unaware of local healthcare services and continue to seek treatment in Seoul, which often leads to additional medical expenses.

To address this imbalance, the Korean government launched the Regional Cancer Center (RCC) initiative in 2004. Initially, three national university hospitals in major provincial cities were designated as RCCs and received targeted financial support to enhance cancer treatment and research capabilities. Between 2005 and 2006, six additional national university hospitals were designated as RCCs. In 2012, the program expanded to include three private university hospitals, further promoting equitable access to cancer care. Most recently, with the designation of another private university hospital in 2023, a total of 13 RCCs have been established, representing 15 administrative regions.

RCCs play a vital role in the regional cancer care by 1) Providing high-quality, patient-centered clinical care within their region, 2) Implementing regional-level cancer control programs, including prevention, screening, and early detection initiatives, 3) Conducting population-based studies tailored to their community’s cancer burden and healthcare needs. This initiative has significantly enhanced the quality and accessibility of cancer care in regional areas. The RCC network continues to contribute to reducing disparities and advancing equitable cancer control efforts across the country.