Cancer Screening for Women from the Perspective of the Person Concerned in Anticipation of the Femtech Era

Abstract

 Due to COVID-19, the number of people undergoing 5 cancer screenings has declined (5.99 million people in 2019 → 4.35 million people in 2020 → 5.37 million people in 2021), and the number of people undergoing cancer screening in 2021 is 10.3% lower than in 2019. , the impact of the corona crisis continues.

 Comparing the number of women undergoing cancer screening in 2021 and 2019, breast cancer decreased by 9.9% and cervical cancer decreased by 8.0%¹⁾.

 Women's cancer screening rates have traditionally been lower than men's, and are still below the national target of 50%.

 In a survey²⁾ of the reasons why women do not undergo breast cancer screening, "painful, scary, and embarrassing" are cited.

 How to overcome this hurdle and how to disseminate evidence-based cancer screening information will be the key to improving the cancer screening rate for women.

 The year 2020 is said to be the first year of femtech, and the government has included femtech promotion in the "Priority Policy for Women's Participation and Gender Equality 2021" along with the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, Health Management, and Diversity.

 I would like to consider how this trend will provide hints for resolving women's health issues and contribute to cancer screening for women from the perspective of those concerned.

 1) Cancer Society Bulletin No. 714 May 1, 2022

 2) 2013 survey on breast cancer screening by NPO Breast Health Research Association