Japan's 10-year cancer survival rate at 58.3 percent

Nov 20, 2020 | News On Japan

Nov 20, 2020 (NHK) - Data released by a group of researchers show the average 10-year survival rate of cancer patients in Japan stands at 58.3 percent.

The group analyzed data samples of more than 94,000 people who were diagnosed with cancer at 21 cancer treatment institutions across the country between 2004 and 2007.

The overall 10-year survival rate rose to 58.3 percent from 57.2 percent for those diagnosed from 2003 through 2006, and 56.3 percent for those diagnosed from 2002 through 2005.

By type of cancer, the 10-year survival rate of prostate cancer patients was the highest at 98.8 percent, followed by breast cancer patients with 86.8 percent.

The 10-year survival rate of those with thyroid gland cancer stood at 85.7 percent.

Pancreas cancer patients had the lowest rate of 6.2 percent, followed by liver cancer patients with 16.1 percent. The rate for those with gallbladder and bile duct cancer was 19.1 percent.

The 10-year survival rate of esophageal and lung cancer was 31.8 percent and 32.4 percent respectively.

The Japanese Association of Clinical Cancer Centers has posted data showing survival rates by type and stage of cancer.

A chief researcher at Chiba Cancer Center, Nakamura Yoko, said that survival rates of cancer patients have risen year-by-year and the trend is expected to continue.

She cited technological advances, such as development of new medicines effective for cancers that are difficult to treat.

On the other hand, Nakamura also warned that the trend needs to be closely watched, as the spread of the new coronavirus could discourage cancer patients from visiting hospitals and in turn affect their survival rates.

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Most Sightings of Fugitive Yoichi Hatta Reported in Kanto

Police in Oita Prefecture have revealed that the Kanto region accounts for the largest number of reported sightings of Yoichi Hatta, a fugitive wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident in Beppu in 2022, with authorities preparing to distribute new wanted posters nationwide from November as the search enters its fifth year.