Management of Population-Based Screening for Gastric Cancer : Trends from 2005 to 2013

• Published in: JOURNAL OF JAPAN HEALTH MEDICINE ASSOCIATION Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 63 - 67
• Main Authors: Mizutani, Mayumi, Suzuki, Yuna, Bando, Harumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JAPAN HEALTH MEDICINE ASSOCIATION 30.04.2019
• Subjects: accuracy management; gastric cancer; population-based cancer screening; process indicator
• ISSN: 1343-0025; 2423-9828
• DOI: 10.20685/kenkouigaku.28.1_63

This study aimed to identify the current status of and issues regarding accuracy management of population-based screening for gastric cancer using process indicators. Data on process indicators for population-based screening during 2005-2013 were obtained from reports of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The process indicators included the following : recall rate for further detailed examination, positive predictive value, percentage of individuals whose further detailed examination status was unknown, and percentage of individuals who did not undergo further detailed examination. To examine longitudinal trends, changes in each process indicator between 2005 and 2013 were analyzed by linear approximation. Our results demonstrated a decreasing trend in the recall rate and an increasing trend in the positive predictive value, indicating improved accuracy of screening. However, the presence of individuals for whom further detailed examination was not performed or for whom the examination status was unknown indicated a considerable scope for potentially missed diagnoses of gastric cancer. To promote early detection and treatment of gastric cancer, it is important for local government to monitor process indicators and strengthen call/recall systems for continuously performing further examinations.