[Colorectal cancer: Japanese screening program today]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Gastroenterology

Context:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been legislated in Japan since 1992.
• Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) are utilized for CRC screening.
• The program screened 3.6 million individuals in 1993, detecting 5,400 CRC cases.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Japan's national CRC screening program.
• To assess the impact of iFOBT screening on CRC mortality.
• To identify areas for improvement in the screening program.

Summary:

• Annual CRC screening via iFOBT in Japan shows significant promise for mortality reduction.
• Observational studies suggest a potential 60% reduction in CRC-specific mortality for screened individuals.
• The program's success is evident, but capacity for diagnostic follow-ups needs enhancement.

Impact:

• The Japanese CRC screening program demonstrates substantial public health benefits.
• Potential for significant reduction in colorectal cancer deaths through widespread screening.
• Addressing diagnostic capacity limitations is crucial for optimizing screening program effectiveness.