Measures to Improve the Cancer Screening Rate in Yamagata Prefecture

Abstract

The cancer screening rate in Yamagata Prefecture is high for Japan, but it is still too low to effectively reduce the rate of mortality due to cancer. Although various measures to improve the cancer screening rate are already in place, here we discuss several measures being implemented in Yamagata Prefecture and examine the direction of future strategies in cancer screening. We report success stories of patients who have benefited from early screening, and we introduce our newsletter on cancer-related issues and our efforts to work with public health centers to improve the cancer screening rate. We also report on the results of a cancer-related survey conducted at municipal government offices and corporations and suggest possibilities for future policies. Additionally, we discuss the importance of offering continued encouragement and support to individuals in the process of applying for cancer screening. Repeated recommendations to individuals who have not yet received cancer screening are also important.