Projects

Assessment of Cancer Screening

 Development of cancer screening guidelines and related research activities

Cancer screening guidelines are prepared by reviewing domestic and international studies on evaluating the effectiveness of cancer screening. Based on reliable medical research, the Cancer Screening Guidelines are compiled with "recommendations" for screening methods that should be implemented as nationwide cancer screening programs in Japan.

To date, we have developed and published screening guidelines for stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

The "recommendation" in the guideline is determined based on integrated scientific evidence comparing the effectiveness of cancer screenings with harms, while also taking into consideration the circumstances in Japan, such as medical resources. Our division also participates in research to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer screening in Japan, and will reflect the latest research results in the guidelines to develop more reliable guidelines. Furthermore, these activities are published in research papers and reports.

Website for the Promotion of cancer screening based on scientific evidence (in Japanese)

 Ongoing researches to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer screening

In order to introduce the new modalities into cancer screening for healthy population, we have to evaluate their effectiveness using cancer mortality reduction as an indicator. First, tens of thousands of asymptomatic study participants will be divided into two groups: those who receive the new cancer screening method and those who do not. Next, the cancer mortality of both groups will be compared over time. Our division works as the central office for such large-scale studies and promotes researches to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer screening in Japan in collaboration with many universities, research institutes, and local governments.

Ongoing randomized controlled trials(linked at external site)

1. The efficacy evaluation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in primary cervix cancer screening (UMIN000014720)
2. The Japanese randomized trial for evaluating the Efficacy of low-dose thoracic CT Screening for lung cancer (UMIN000005909)
3. Randomized Controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of total colonoscopy in colorectal cancer screening (UMIN000001980) 
   
   

Management of Cancer Screening

 Development of new quality control method

Cancer screening has not only advantages but also harms. Appropriate quality assurance can maximize benefits and minimize harms of cancer screening. We are conducting research to evaluate quality control in cancer screening programs and develop procedure to improve.

Website for the Promotion of cancer screening based on scientific evidence (in Japanese)

 Evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening and cancer medical care

Cancer screening and medical care are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing these data, we will consider the best countermeasures. We also analyze and evaluate these data from various perspectives and consider feasible methods for providing appropriate medical care.

Others / Dissemination and Implementation Research of cancer screening

Survey on the implementation of self-collected Pap smear in occupational health checkups

Although the rate of occupational health checkups in Japan is high, it has been a problem that various testing methods that have not been validated for effectiveness and accuracy are used. Self-collected Pap smear, which was pointed out as an accuracy problem in "The Japanese Guideline for Cervical cancer screening (2009)", is still being implemented in occupational health checkups.

This study conducts individual interviews with the managers of health insurance associations, which are the main implementers of occupational health checkups, to clarify the factors behind the continuation of the self-collection Pap smear. Furthermore, using a questionnaire developed based on the results of the interview, we examine the implementation status and the reasons for using the self-collected Pap smear among health insurance associations nationwide. The results of this study may lead to the development of intervention programs to encourage a shift to physician-collected cytology and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing in the future.

A study on the behavioral change of self-collection HPV test for under-screened women: A social implementation study in occupational health checkups

The self-collected HPV test is expected to be an option for those who have not been screened for cervical cancer using the physician-collected cytology test, but it is not clear whether those who have HPV positive will undergo screening at a medical institution. We are investigating whether informing women who have not undergone cervical cancer screening in the last two years at workplace by having them perform a self-collected HPV test and providing test results and information about cervical cancer through an app will lead to cervical cancer screening. Finally, we are evaluating whether self-collected HPV test is an appropriate measure for under-screened women.