Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Cancer in Japan - statistics & facts
As is the case worldwide, cancer is by far the leading cause of death in Japan. In recent years, the estimated incidence rate of cancer has been higher among Japanese men compared to women, and while the cancer cases for 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 incidence among men compared to women is likely due 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 due to medical advances and existing prevention measures such as cancer screening. In fact, the Japanese population continues to have one of the highest life expectancies worldwide.
The early detection of cancer or precursor of cancer is crucial to its course and chances of survival. Therefore, the cancer examinations promoted by the Japanese government are able to 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 have been the colon, cervix, lung, breast, and stomach.
Since cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide and in Japan, the Japanese government supports prevention measures as well as cancer research. Men continue to have a higher incidence compared to women, likely due to risk factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
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 increasing age, the cases of cancer also tend to rise, which is reflected in the growing number of deaths from malignant neoplasms in Japan over the past decade, as the country's society is aging.The higher number of cancer incidence among men compared to women is likely due 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 cancer prevention and early discovery through 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 due to medical advances and existing prevention measures such as cancer screening. In fact, the Japanese population continues to have one of the highest life expectancies worldwide.
The early detection of cancer or precursor of cancer is crucial to its course and chances of survival. Therefore, the cancer examinations promoted by the Japanese government are able to 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 have been the colon, cervix, lung, breast, and stomach.
Since cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide and in Japan, the Japanese government supports prevention measures as well as cancer research. Men continue to have a higher incidence compared to women, likely due to risk factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
