The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
Online ISSN : 1349-3329
Print ISSN : 0040-8727
ISSN-L : 0040-8727
Review
The Decreasing Burden of Gastric Cancer in Japan
Masashi MatsuzakaShinsaku FukudaIppei TakahashiSen ShimayaTakao OyamaMakoto YaegakiTadashi ShimoyamaJuichi SakamotoShigeyuki NakajiTakashi Umeda
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2007 Volume 212 Issue 3 Pages 207-219

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Abstract

Gastric cancer in Japan, previously the top killer cancer, has recently shown decreased incidence and mortality rates. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that environmental factors are closely associated with stomach oncogenesis, as evident from the geographical differences seen throughout Japan in both incidence and mortality. Moreover, Japanese immigrant populations gradually exhibit the lower incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer in their chosen country. Likewise, younger generations in Japan have lower mortality rates than older generations at the same age, which may be accounted by the dramatic lifestyle changes in Japan after World War II. In addition to exploring and learning from the impact of these environmental factors, deliberate strategies to further lower the incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer must include aggressive eradication programs for Helicobacter pylori and dietary education in both school curricula and for the general adult population to lower the intake of causative agents such as salt and increase the intake of beneficial agents such as fruits, vegetables and seaweeds. The dietary education should be coupled with better motivation for the general population to undergo regular screening with improved techniques. In the future, changes in these environmental factors and progresses in the diagnosis of and therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer will lead to further decrease in the incidence and mortality rates of this disease in Japan.

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© 2007 Tohoku University Medical Press
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