The number one cause of death in Japan is cancer (malignant neoplasm).

Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan for over 40 years since 1981. Currently, one in two Japanese people will get cancer, and one in three people will die of cancer.

The number of deaths by cancer site in 2020 is 1st lung cancer, 2nd gastric cancer, 3rd colorectal cancer for men, 1st colorectal cancer, 2nd lung cancer, 3rd pancreatic cancer for women, and 3rd pancreatic cancer. In Arakawa Ward, lung cancer ranked first, stomach cancer ranked second, and colorectal cancer third among men, and lung cancer ranked first, colon cancer ranked second, and stomach cancer third among women. Although the ranking changes from year to year, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer are always ranked high. (Source: Vital Statistics Cancer Death Data)

In Arakawa Ward, nearly 600 people die of cancer every year. One of the reasons why cancer deaths have not decreased is said to be the aging of the population. It is also a big factor.

Advances in medicine are transforming cancer into a disease that can be cured if detected and treated early. In order to prevent premature death from cancer, the city conducts health promotion, measures to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, and cancer screening projects. I hope that as many people as possible will know about cancer and that we can work together to overcome cancer.

Basis and implementation system for cancer control

With the aim of overcoming cancer, the "Cancer Control Basic Law" was enacted in 2007, and the "Cancer Control Promotion Plan" of the national and metropolitan governments was formulated. As a result, a system was put in place for the national, metropolitan, and ward governments to work together to reduce cancer deaths. Based on these national and metropolitan plans, the ward has positioned "cancer countermeasures" as a priority item in the Arakawa Ward Health Promotion Plan, and is promoting measures in cooperation with medical institutions.

Age-appropriate cancer countermeasures

• Infants and children: Take measures against cancer that can be prevented by vaccination ( Hepatitis B vaccination ).
• AYA generation: Measures against cancer that can be prevented by vaccination ( cervical cancer vaccination ), sexually transmitted disease prevention education, smoking cessation education, etc. are provided. *The AYA generation refers to people aged 15 to 39.
• From 20s: Entering the target age forcervical cancer screening . In addition, a hepatitis test is recommended for those who have never been tested for the hepatitis virus . For smokers, smoking cessation treatment using the ward's subsidy system is recommended.
• From 30 years old: Since the incidence of breast cancer increases from the late 30s, it is recommended to take breast awareness ( breast awareness: breast self-examination, etc. ) and to see a doctor early if there are any abnormalities.
• 40s to 69s: This is the target age for screening for lung cancer , stomach cancer , colon cancer ,cervical cancer , and breast cancer . It is an age when people are actively required to undergo checkups at regular intervals for early detection, and to review lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of cancer.
• From the 70s: While maintaining opportunities for cancer screening, it is becoming more important to see a doctor early and receive early treatment if symptoms are present.

Check your cancer risk!

The Cancer Control Institute of the National Cancer Center is investigating the relationship between Japanese lifestyle habits and cancer and other diseases. Based on the results of analyzes conducted over many years, we are disclosing information on what kind of lifestyle habits are likely to lead to cancer and other diseases, and which are less likely to get sick.

To help you and those close to you lead a healthy life, check out the risks hidden in your lifestyle with each content from the National Cancer Center Research Institute.

Cancer risk check page (opens in a new window)

Cancer prevention for Japanese people

Let's practice the preventive guidelines "Cancer prevention for Japanese people" based on scientific evidence based on research results for Japanese people.

Primary prevention: 5 health habits + infection prevention

By practicing five healthy habits: (1) quitting smoking, (2) reducing drinking, (3) diet, (4) physical activity, and (5) maintaining a healthy weight, the risk of developing cancer can be cut in half.

1 no smoking

Don't smoke, avoid other people's smoke

Tobacco smoke is associated with many cancers, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer. Smokers are 1.5 times more likely to develop cancer than non-smokers, and passive smoking also increases the risk of developing cancer.

Sputum examination for lung cancer screening is performed for high-risk individuals.

Thinking of people at high risk of lung cancer

Males and females aged 50 and over, when "(average number of cigarettes smoked per day) x (years of smoking)" is 600 or more

* Note: Includes past smoking. For heat-not-burn cigarettes, the number of cartridges shall be read as the number of cigarettes smoked.

2 Sake

Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer, and it is reported that women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol consumption due to their constitution, and the risk of developing cancer increases with smaller amounts.

Limit drinking to an amount that does not harm your health, about 23g of pure ethanol per day (1 go of sake, 1 large bottle of beer, 1 double glass of whiskey, 1/3 bottle of wine).

3 Review your eating habits

In addition to eating too much salt and not eating enough fruits and vegetables, drinks and foods that are too hot have also been shown to have an effect.

4 Move your body

The higher the amount of physical activity, such as work and exercise, the lower the overall cancer risk.

These people also have a lower risk of heart disease and, therefore, a lower overall risk of death.

Physical activity has been reported to reduce the risk of colon, liver, and pancreatic cancer in men, and stomach cancer in women.

5 Maintain a healthy weight

A BMI value of 21.0 to 26.9 in men has a low risk of cancer, and a BMI value of 21.0 to 24.9 in women has a low risk of death.

6 Infection is also a major cause of cancer

Infection is the most common cause of cancer among Japanese women and the second most common among men.

Cancer itself is not transmitted from person to person, but it is known that persistent infection with specific viruses and bacteria can cause cancer. Infection does not necessarily result in cancer, but early treatment can be achieved by preventing infection through vaccination and by examining the presence or absence of infection.

Virus/bacteria name	type of cancer	Vaccines or tests subsidized by the ward
Hepatitis B and C virus	liver cancer	hepatitis B vaccine virus hepatitis test
Helicobacter pylori	stomach cancer	Stomach cancer risk test (ABC screening)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)	cervical cancer	cervical cancer vaccine
human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1)	adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma	Pregnant woman health checkup

• Arakawa Ward subsidizes vaccinations and tests for those who meet the conditions. Please see the link for details.
• Although there is no subsidy from the ward, the human papillomavirus (HPV) can be tested for HPV at a hospital to check for infection.
• The main routes of transmission of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) are mother-to-child transmission and sexual transmission.

Related Links

• National Cancer Center Cancer Information Service Learn about cancer No.301
• "To reduce the risk of cancer prevention based on scientific evidence" (link to an external site)
• "Cancer risk assessment based on scientific evidence" (link to an external site)

Secondary prevention: Aiming for “cure” through early detection and early treatment through cancer screening

Guidance of cancer screening

Tertiary prevention: prevention of recurrence after treatment, quality of life (survivorship)

Cancer consultation/support