An evaluation of screening for lung cancer in Niigata Prefecture, Japan: a population-based case–control study

Abstract

Although an annual screening programme for lung cancer has been carried out widely in Japan since 1987, there is insufficient evidence to confirm its efficacy in terms of reducing mortality. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the lung cancer screening which has been widely carried out in Japan since 1987, a case–control study was conducted in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In the study area, chest X-ray examinations for all participants and sputum cytology for high-risk participants were offered annually. Case subjects, who had died from lung cancer (174), and control subjects matched by sex, year of birth, residence and smoking status (801), who had been alive at the time of diagnosis of the corresponding case, were selected from the National Health Insurance holders. Screening histories of the subjects were compared between cases and matched controls for the identical calendar period before the time of diagnosis of the cases. The odds ratio of death from lung cancer for those screened within 12 months vs those not screened was 0.401 (95% CI: 0.272–0.591) with adjustment by smoking index. Our results suggest that annual lung cancer screening might reduce mortality from lung cancer by approximately 60%. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign

Detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in community‐based annual lung cancer screening: Chiba Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Lung Cancer Screening Study Group

“…Community‐based lung cancer screening using chest radiography is well established in Japan . Japanese residents who are 40 years or older can undergo annual chest radiography.…”

“…Community-based lung cancer screening using chest radiography is well established in Japan. 12,13 Japanese residents who are 40 years or older can undergo annual chest radiography. This screening programme has been supported by the national government under the Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged since 1987.…”

New aspects of photodynamic therapy for central type early stage lung cancer

“…An annual mass screening program for lung cancer has been conducted since 1982 in Japan, including annual chest X‐ray examinations for those aged 40 or over, and added sputum cytology for individuals aged 50 or over with a smoking history of over 30 pack‐years and those aged 40 or over with a history of bloody sputum within the previous 6 months. For individuals suspected to have lung cancer on chest X‐ray or sputum cytology, further examinations were performed to confirm the diagnosis 6–8.…”

Surveillance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in high-risk individuals by using regional lung cancer mass screening

“…The use of chest radiography for community-based lung cancer screening in Japan is well established, 10 , 11 and has been supported by the national government under the Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged since 1987. Japanese individuals 40 years of age and older consult with public health nurses and provide their health habits and past and current medical histories on a lifestyle questionnaire.…”