Catharina Klein
Research expert covering Japan
Cancer in Japan - statistics & facts
As is the case worldwide, cancer is by far the leading cause of death in Japan. Cancer is a group of diseases that cause abnormal cell growth that likely spreads to other parts of the body.
In recent years, the estimated incidence rate of cancer was higher among Japanese men compared to women, and while the cancer cases in women indicated a decrease, they increased slightly for men. In Japan, the most common types of newly diagnosed cancers among women were breast, colon, and lung cancer. For men, the most common cancer types were prostate, stomach, colon, and lung cancer.
The higher number of cancer cases in men compared to women is likely attributed to regulation at the genetic and molecular level as well as sex hormones such as estrogen. Furthermore, men tend to have higher rates of tobacco use and alcohol consumption compared to women.
Even though the overall number of cancer cases has been growing in Japan, the survival chances of cancer have been increasing significantly over the past decade due to medical advances and prevention measures such as cancer screenings. Japanese people even continue to have the highest life expectancy worldwide.
The early detection of cancer or precursor of cancer is crucial to its course and chances of survival. Therefore, the Japanese government promotes cancer screenings as these examinations can discover early forms of cancer before they cause symptoms or spread to other parts of the body. In recent years, the most common sites for cancer screenings were the colon, cervix, lung, breast, and stomach. The main reasons for Japanese people to undergo a cancer screening were that a family member or friend had cancer or that it was recommended during a health check-up at work or school.
Main risk factors for cancer
The main risks that can cause cancer are environmental and lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, infections, or environmental pollutants. Inherited genetics can also play a role. With age, the cases of cancer also tend to increase, which is reflected in the rising number of deaths from malignant neoplasms in Japan throughout the past decade, as the country's society is aging.The higher number of cancer cases in men compared to women is likely attributed to regulation at the genetic and molecular level as well as sex hormones such as estrogen. Furthermore, men tend to have higher rates of tobacco use and alcohol consumption compared to women.
Prevention and treatment of cancer
In 2007, Japan enforced the Cancer Control Act which is updated every five years. Its basic measures are the promotion of prevention and early discovery through cancer screenings, the promotion of cancer treatments (including measures for training cancer specialists and establishing core hospitals), and the promotion of cancer research.Even though the overall number of cancer cases has been growing in Japan, the survival chances of cancer have been increasing significantly over the past decade due to medical advances and prevention measures such as cancer screenings. Japanese people even continue to have the highest life expectancy worldwide.
The early detection of cancer or precursor of cancer is crucial to its course and chances of survival. Therefore, the Japanese government promotes cancer screenings as these examinations can discover early forms of cancer before they cause symptoms or spread to other parts of the body. In recent years, the most common sites for cancer screenings were the colon, cervix, lung, breast, and stomach. The main reasons for Japanese people to undergo a cancer screening were that a family member or friend had cancer or that it was recommended during a health check-up at work or school.
