With regard to measures against cancer, which is said to affect one in two Japanese people, a council of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to raise the target rate of examinations conducted by local governments from 50% to 60%. We gathered plan of new basic plan which we included.
The basic plan, which is the pillar of the country's cancer control measures, is regularly reviewed by the council of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which is made up of patients and doctors. it was done.
The draft plan maintains the three pillars of "prevention," "improvement of medical care," and "symbiosis with cancer," which are included in the current basic plan, and defines issues and measures to be addressed.
Specifically, regarding "cancer screening", based on a research report that the number of people undergoing cancer screening has decreased by about 10% to 20% due to the influence of the new coronavirus, we will consider preparations and responses in preparation for the spread of infectious diseases. In addition to incorporating this for the first time, it is said that the target for the screening rate conducted by local governments will be raised from the previous 50% to 60%.
In "medical care," we have established a system, such as cooperation with the Cancer Consultation Support Center, so that all medical professionals can provide appropriate support for "palliative care," which relieves patients' pain and mental suffering from the time they are diagnosed. I am planning to proceed with the maintenance.
In order to improve the infrastructure for cancer control, we will use new technologies such as "whole genome analysis" based on genetic information to promote research on highly effective therapeutic drugs.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will conduct public comments on this draft basic plan, listen to a wide range of opinions, and aim to make a cabinet decision by March next year.
Number of people undergoing cancer screening Decrease due to spread of new coronavirus infection
According to a research group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of people undergoing cancer screening in fiscal 2020, when the spread of new corona infections began, was lower than the average for the three years before that. In five cancers, it decreased by about 10% to 30%, and among them, gastric cancer, which had the largest decrease, decreased by 35%.