Cancer research and control activities in Japan: contributions to international efforts.

Since the establishment of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research in 1908, Japan has experienced a long history of physicians and researchers playing very active roles in both national and international efforts for cancer control. With the opening of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Cancer Institute and Hospital in 1934 and the National Cancer Center in 1962, followed by Aichi Cancer Center in 1964 and then gradually Prefectural Centers across the country, the populace is well endowed with specialist research and clinical facilities. Under the Cancer Control Act, implemented in 2007, these are now being complemented by a network of specialist hospitals also involved in efforts to improve training and cancer registration as well as standardization of cancer treatment. Regional cancer registries have been active since the 1960's and national programs for cervical and stomach cancer screening were introduced in 1984. Subsequently, such early detection efforts have been added for the lung, colorectal, endometrial and breast cancers. There are a large number of academic scientific societies holding regular research meetings and focusing on all the different aspects of cancer control. In addition, there are non-government organizations like the Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research, the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Foundation, the Sapporo Cancer Seminar Foundation and the Hiroshima Cancer Seminar Foundation, all sponsoring international research meetings and other efforts. Other foundations have been established, for example by patient support groups, and policy research and strategic planning are now high priorities of the Government. Japan also continues to contribute to international efforts though its membership in the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as well as through individual memberships in the International Union Against Cancer (UICC).