Evaluation of Mass Screening Program for Stomach Cancer

Stomach Cancer in Various Age Groups (Japan) As Detected by Gastric Mass Survey

“…On the other hand, there is a tendency toward a decline in the mortality rate from stomach cancer. Kurihara (6), an epidemiologist, has stated that this is due primarily to a decline in the incidence, as has been found in (7). To date, the effects of the gastric mass survey on the trend toward a decline in mortality from stomach cancer in the entire prefecture appears to be inconspic-Our results of mass survey in the model areas indicate that, although the survey has distinct effects in reducing the death rate from stomach cancer among persons in their 50's or ~O'S, there are no remarkable effects in the older age group.…”

“…If so, the question may be raised that the decline in the death rate from stomach cancer is entirely unrelated to the effects of mass survey. Of the present population of approximately 600,000 over the age of 40 in Miyagi Prefecture, only 14 percent have been examined by the gastric mass survey which importantly promotes early detection and early institution of treatment (7). To date, the effects of the gastric mass survey on the trend toward a decline in mortality from stomach cancer in the entire prefecture appears to be inconspicuous.…”

Mass screening for breast cancer.

“…The mass screening program for stomach cancer was commenced by the Miyagi Cancer Society in 1960 (Hisamichi et al 1976), which was later extended to a cervix cancer. Such a mass screening was applied also to breast cancer in 1977.…”

“…While the breast cancer is most frequent among Western females and infrequent among Japanese females, the incidence of stomach cancer and cervix cancer is by far higher in Japan (Segi and Kurihara 1972), and the mass screeng for stomach cancer and cervix cancer has long been conducted on a nation-wide scale in Japan, accomplishing a remarkable success in early detection of smaller and more localized cancer (Hisamichi et al 1976). However, because of recent increasing tendency of breast cancer in Japan, the similar screening method for breast cancer is being introduced.…”

Initial radiographic findings of early gastric cancer detected in health check programs and human "dry dock" collective health checks and treated by endoscopic mucosal resection

“…In Japan, gastric cancer is still the leading cause of death [1], although the mortality rate has recently been decreasing [2]. Early gastric cancer (EGC) has recently accounted for nearly a half or more of all resected cancers in representative Japanese institutions that specialize in gastroenterology [3].…”