Annual Report 2022
Division of Screening Assessment and Management
Tomio Nakayama, Hirokazu Takahashi, Satoyo Hosono, Akiko Matsumoto, Noriaki Takahashi, Jin Miyazawa, Sayo Aikawa, Nao Ida, Miho Kashikura, Akiko Totake, Kanna Higuchi, Kanoko Matsushima
Introduction
Our division conducts research on cancer screening assessment (large scale efficacy study and guideline development) and cancer screening management (quality control), as well as training and research projects related to cancer screening, to promote evidence-based cancer screening in Japan.
The Team and What We Do
Our division consists of two teams according to the activities they are in charge of. One is the activity for assessing cancer screening, and the other for Quality Assurance. S. Hosono is the head of the former team, and N. Takahashi and J. Miyazawa manage the prospective studies for evaluation of cancer screening and A. Totake, K. Higuchi and S. Aikawa assist the studies. S. Hosono manages the development of cancer screening guideline and K. Matsushima, M. Kashikura and N. Ida assist the work. H. Takahashi is involved in the latter team (quality assurance).
Research Activities
Cancer Screening Assessment
1) Studies to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer screening
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate screening for colon cancer using total colonoscopy has completed recruitment. A follow-up study is ongoing using the vital statistics and other data, and sub-study about the sensitivity of total colonoscopy has started.
As for a cohort study to evaluate screening for cervical cancer using HPV test and Pap smear, we ascertained the diagnosis, supported data entry through individual visits to municipalities, and prepared applications for the National Cancer Registry.
As a follow-up team of an ongoing randomized controlled trial of lung cancer screening using low-dose CT, we provided residential referrals for 318 cases registered until FY2018 that could not be contacted, and confirmed the cause and date of death for those who died, using the vital statistics. Furthermore, preparation for application to the National Cancer Registry was initiated.
2) Development of cancer screening guidelines and related issues
A colorectal cancer screening guideline draft was released and a public symposium was held. Colonoscopy cannot be recommended as a screening method at this time, and only the fecal immunochemical test was recommended. For lung cancer screening, plain chest X-ray, sputum cytology, and low-dose CT were examined, and guideline draft are being prepared.
Cancer Screening Management
1) Process Indicators
We, as part of the MHLW's Research Group, developed new standard values for cancer screening process indicators, and presented them as a draft report on the evaluation of cancer screening projects in FY2022 to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's commission on Cancer Screening, where they were approved and released as an official report.
2) Development of information tool for workplace screening
Based on the fact that workplace screening lacks the correct knowledge of cancer screening due to the lack of involvement of medical personnel and the lack of government-recommended cancer screening, we have started to create an educational video for those in charge of screening in the workplace.
3) Impact of COVID-19 infection on cancer screening and care
In the evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening and care, data on the number of screening rates, the incidence of cancer, and the number of surgeries were collected and reviewed in 2021, and the results were reported at the Cancer Control promotion Council and other meetings.
Future Prospects
In the large-scale screening assessment studies, we will apply for record linkage with the National Cancer Registry while continuing follow-up in each study. In cancer screening guidelines, we will complete and release colorectal cancer screening guidelines and lung cancer screening guidelines. In the development of educational tool to the workplace, we will make an effort to disseminate correct information by releasing it to the Cancer Information Service. Regarding the impact of the new coronavirus infection on cancer screening and medical care, we will continue to collect and examine data for FY2022, and analyze the impact on the compliance for diagnostic workup by cancer screening.
List of papers published in 2022
Journal
1. Machii R, Takahashi H. Japanese cancer screening programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: Changes in participation between 2017-2020. Cancer epidemiology, 82:102313, 2023
2. Hiramatsu K, Ueda Y, Yagi A, Morimoto A, Egawa-Takata T, Nakagawa S, Kobayashi E, Kimura T, Kimura T, Minekawa R, Hori Y, Sato K, Morii E, Nakayama T, Tanaka Y, Terai Y, Ohmichi M, Ichimura T, Sumi T, Murata H, Okada H, Nakai H, Matsumura N, Mandai M, Saito J, Horikoshi Y, Takagi T, Enomoto T, Shimura K. The efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccination in young Japanese girls: the interim results of the OCEAN study. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 18:1951098, 2022
3. Nguyen PT, Katanoda K, Saito E, Hori M, Nakayama T, Matsuda T. Trends in lung cancer incidence by gender, histological type and stage at diagnosis in Japan, 1993 to 2015: A multiple imputation approach. International journal of cancer, 151:20-32, 2022
4. Yagi A, Ueda Y, Nakagawa S, Ikeda S, Kakuda M, Hiramatsu K, Miyoshi A, Kobayashi E, Kimura T, Hirai K, Nakayama T, Miyagi E, Sekine M, Enomoto T, Kimura T. Change of HPV vaccination rates in Japan: the effect of individual notifications implemented by local governments. International journal of clinical oncology, 27:1651-1659, 2022
5. Yagi A, Ueda Y, Nakagawa S, Ikeda S, Kakuda M, Hiramatsu K, Miyoshi A, Kobayashi E, Kimura T, Mizushima T, Suzuki Y, Sekine M, Hirai K, Nakayama T, Miyagi E, Enomoto T, Kimura T. Can Catch-Up Vaccinations Fill the Void Left by Suspension of the Governmental Recommendation of HPV Vaccine in Japan? Vaccines, 10:1455, 2022
6. Yagi A, Ueda Y, Ikeda S, Miyoshi A, Nakagawa S, Hiramatsu K, Kobayashi E, Kimura T, Ito Y, Nakayama T, Nakata K, Morishima T, Miyashiro I, Kimura T. Improved long-term survival of corpus cancer in Japan: A 40-year population-based analysis. International journal of cancer, 150:232-242, 2022
7. Terasawa T, Hosono S, Sasaki S, Hoshi K, Hamashima Y, Katayama T, Hamashima C. Comparative accuracy of cervical cancer screening strategies in healthy asymptomatic women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 12:94, 2022