Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cari83]

My co-teacher told me I need to get a PAP smear and give them the results. She gave me a form in Korean to give to a doctor and return. She says it's because I'm over 30 now. I'm almost 30 American but not yet. If they're going by my Korean age, I was over 30 last year. My friend who was here last year was 32, and wasn't given the form. I guess it's possible they request it every few years, as I'm a little over 2 years into my contract.

I would like to know, have any other female public school teachers been asked to do this? I feel like it's a little personal. I'm not against getting a test for my own health and private knowledge but it's really none of their business. What if I did have cancer? What are they going to do? Also - are male public school teachers over 30 getting prostate exams?

[Lucas]

[waynehead]

Can't tell you about female tests, but I'm 31/32 (western age/Korean), male, and no I was not required to have a prostate exam. But to be fair, I believe it's recommended for men over 40 to start getting them, not 30.

[hogwonguy1979]

its part of the 2 year annual physical exam that nhic requires, check with your regular dr (or on a US website) and see if under 30 they'd rec that. If not tell them to bugger off, you don't need it. I'd also be dammed if I were to give my employer my medical results.

Heck every time I go in for a physical they try and push the prostate and an endoscopy exams, I tell them since there is no history of cancer in my family and I don't eat, drink, smoke like a Korean male there is no need for those tests, you just need to be insistent

[schwa]

I always opt for the minimum tests required but I'd guess that if you refused a specific NHIC-mandated age-related test that you'd be compromising your coverage should a related problem arise.

I know my PS would get testy about it too.

I've hit a threshold where I'm obliged to do some kind of gut check & submit a shit sample by the end of the year. I'll play along.

[YTMND]

Free prostrate exam? Where do I sign up? If you are thinking about coming to Korea, it might help to check your liver too.

[Popocatepetl]

[absolutmike]

I had something similar happen (I'm over 40 and male) I was told I must have the prostate exam here in Korea. That's incorrect, they highly recommend the testing. They don't typically encounter Koreans that say NO, so my statement caused a lot of 'panic'. It is your body, you have the right to agree to testing as you see fit. NHIC recommends it, it is not law.

If you are concerned about 'early screening' do it the next time you return to your country, where your Medical Records are more secure and everyone at your school doesn't know your business.

[rollo]

The sheer horror of having a health check.. How dare they try to ensure your health and also keep health care costs down by early detection of problems. I suggest you contact the U.N. your ambassador and a letter to amnesty international at the least. This tyranny will not stand.

[littlelisa]

Wow, people still missing the point. *The point is not that she has to do a health check* the point is that giving them results from a pap smear should be unnecessary. They can recommend she do one herself, but this does seem a little much.

I'm over 30 and I've never been asked to do this in my 2 year health checks, OP. I think you can tell them no.

[Reset]

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[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I have my own OBGYN who works at his own clinic. I wouldn't want to go to some school-mandated institution for that kind of invasive thing. Tell them that you'll leave that part of medical exams to your personal doctor.

[T-dot]

If its the 2 year health check, there should be a designated clinic/hospital that you have to go to.

The results of those tests arent given to the school, the HNIC keep a copy and give one to you.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Of course, if you don't have a regular OBGYN (which I've found to be the case with many foreign women working here) it's a great idea to take advantage of this free service, invasive or not, because cancer's no joke, and even if it's a violation of privacy, I'd rather know if I had abnormal cells ASAP. For those of us with a regular, vetted doctor, however, it's just icky to go elsewhere when we're already comfortable.

For the guys, who many not understand just how invasive it is, have you ever shopped around for a dentist? I'm assuming that many of you are a bit young to need a proctologist , but I could be wrong of course. Well, you know how it may have taken several tries until you found a dentist with whom you felt comfortable? Finding a good OBGYN is like that squared.

[Who's Your Daddy?]