Mass screening for gastric cancer in a southern part of Fukushima prefecture / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

During the 9-year period from 1980 to 1988, a-total of 108, 609 people underwent group examinations for early detection of cancer of the stomach. Of this number 197 people (0.18%) were found to have contracted gastric cancer. The detection rate followed an upward curve in step with the increasing use of gastroscopes. Of those who underwent surgery, 140 people survived three years post-operatively. By stage, the survival rate was 95.6%(65 cases out of 68) for stage I, 93.3%(28 of 30) for stage II, 82.6%(19 of 23) for stage III, and 10.5%(2 of 19) for stage IV.<BR>In 1988 alone, 15, 174 people received mass screenings and 45 stomach cancers were detected (0.297%). The detection rate was high, but it is to be noted that of the 48 people, 18 had been found normal in the previous year's check up, and that five cases of the 18 apparently had escaped the notice of physicians. This fact suggests that more careful examination be needed.