Updated Trends in Cancer in Japan: Incidence in 1985–2015 and Mortality in 1958–2018—A Sign of Decrease in Cancer Incidence

Abstract

Background Unlike many North American and European countries, Japan has observed a continuous increase in cancer incidence over the last few decades. We examined the most recent trends in population-based cancer incidence and mortality in Japan. Methods National cancer mortality data between 1958 and 2018 were obtained from published vital statistics. Cancer incidence data between 1985 and 2015 were obtained from high-quality population-based cancer registries maintained by three prefectures (Yamagata, Fukui, and Nagasaki). Trends in age-standardized rates (ASR) were examined using Joinpoint regression analysis. Results For males, all-cancer incidence increased between 1985 and 1996 (annual percent change [APC] +1.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–1.5%), increased again in 2000–2010 (+1.3%; 95% CI, 0.9–1.8%), and then decreased until 2015 (−1.4%; 95% CI, −2.5 to −0.3%). For females, all-cancer incidence increased until 2010 (+0.8%; 95% CI, 0.6–0.9% in 1985–2004 and +2.4%; 95% CI, 1.3–3.4% in 2004–2010), and stabilized thereafter until 2015. The post-2000 increase was mainly attributable to prostate in males and breast in females, which slowed or levelled during the first decade of the 2000s. After a sustained increase, all-cancer mortality for males decreased in 1996–2013 (−1.6%; 95% CI, −1.6 to −1.5%) and accelerated thereafter until 2018 (−2.5%; 95% CI, −2.9 to −2.0%). All-cancer mortality for females decreased intermittently throughout the observation period, with the most recent APC of −1.0% (95% CI, −1.1 to −0.9%) in 2003–2018. The recent decreases in mortality in both sexes, and in incidence in males, were mainly attributable to stomach, liver, and male lung cancers. Conclusion The ASR of all-cancer incidence began decreasing significantly in males and levelled off in females in 2010.

International comparison of trends in cancer mortality: Japan has fallen behind in screening-related cancers

“…Early detection and improvements in prognosis after 2000 are also contributing factors ( 23 , 24 ). While coverage of H. pylori eradication by the national health insurance scheme from 2013 may also have contributed to the decrease in mortality ( 25 ), the effect is currently unclear ( 13 ). The mortality rate of stomach cancer in Korea has decreased more rapidly than in Japan.…”

“…The lung cancer mortality rate in Japanese males has been steadily decreasing since the mid-1990s, a result that has been attributed to the decline in smoking prevalence and improvement in prognosis for patients with chemotherapy ( 13 , 52 , 53 ). However, according to the latest data, the male smoking prevalence in Japan is 27.1% (2019) ( 54 ), remaining higher than that in the non-Asian countries analyzed in the present study (around 20% or lower) ( 55 ).…”

“…Extensive literature is available on global and national trends in cancer mortality, including in Japan, most of which report findings for site-specific cancers ( 2–6 ) or specific countries or regions ( 7–15 ). A recent study in Japan reported that some major cancers have not seen a favorable decrease in mortality ( 13 ). However, this phenomenon has not been examined in an international context.…”

Development of diabetes mellitus following hormone therapy in prostate cancer patients is associated with early progression to castration resistance

“…According to an epidemiologic study analyzing cancer incidence between 1985 and 2015 in three prefectures in Japan 1 , prostate cancer (PC) increased gradually before 2000, and quickly in early 2000s, which might be associated with the spread of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, and thereafter remained as one of the most common cancers in Japanese males. Family history of PC is associated with the increased risk of PC morbidity by 2.4–5.6 times, suggesting the involvement of genetic factors 2 .…”

Preoperative Physical Inactivity Affects the Postoperative Course of Surgical Patients with Lung Cancer

“…Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Japan and is strongly associated with smoking 6) . The data of the cancer registry of Japan showed that the incidence of lung cancer is increasing 7) , and surgical treatment is becoming increasingly frequent 8) . Perioperative pulmonary physical therapy for patients with lung cancer is a promising strategy to optimize physical fitness, and may yield improved outcomes such as reduced length of stay or fewer postoperative complications 9,10 ) .…”