Abstract
With the aim of improving the accuracy of abdominal ultrasound screening for diagnosing cancer and lifestyle diseases, we conducted a comparative examination of the categorized criteria for abdominal ultrasound cancer screening provided by the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening and screening results determined based on the classification of abdominal ultrasound findings and follow-up actions provided by the Japan Society of Ningen Dock. If further examination was required of the conditions classified as Category 3 and above according to the cancer screening criteria, the recall rate for the cancer screening criteria was slightly higher than that for the dock criteria, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. According to organ, the recall rate for the liver or kidneys was significantly lower and that for the gallbladder/bile duct was significantly higher in the cancer screening criteria than in the dock criteria. All detected cancers could have been detected by either set of criteria. The guideline for cancer screening describes the points to be observed in great detail and, therefore, has a high likelihood of providing consistent screening accuracy. Cancer can still be detected under the conditions classified as Category 3. Therefore, a complete physical examination should be performed at least for the first visit and diagnostic findings should be documented. Although fatty liver and gallstones are classified under Category 2, they still require lifestyle guidance. Therefore, the present observations may suggest that follow-up actions covering lifestyle diseases, based on the guideline for cancer screening, be developed and added to the screening results.
