July 10, 2024.

White paper on the consciousness survey on gastric and colorectal cancer screening and endoscopic examination 2024

Olympus Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Olympus) has issued the White Paper on the Consciousness Survey on Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Screening and Endoscopic Examination 2024 targeting a total of 14,100 men and women in their 40s and 60s in all prefectures. This survey aims to deepen the understanding of cancer screening and endoscopic examination among the general public as part of Olympus's social contribution activities aimed at realizing the health, safety, and mental richness of people around the world. The white paper summarizes the status of cancer screening, reasons for receiving or not receiving screening, and awareness of endoscopic examination.

Main survey results

1. The awareness rate of "the cure rate by early detection and treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer is above 90%" is less than 30%
2. Cancer screening is polarized between those who receive and those who do not
3. Among non-receivers of gastric and colorectal cancer screening, about 30% answered that they do not have any symptoms

Background of the survey

In Japan in recent years, about 1 million people※1 are newly diagnosed with cancer each year, with three out of two men and two out of one women experiencing cancer during their lifetime, and about 0.38 million people※1 die of cancer in 2022. For the purpose of reducing this mortality rate, it is important to undergo cancer screening for the five types of cancer (gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cervical cancer※2), which are recommended by the government as a means of early detection of cancer. However, many screenings do not reach 50% or more, and they do not reach the government's goal of 60%. In particular, while 98% or more of gastric and colorectal cancers are cured by early detection and treatment, they are still not reaching the target screening and examination rates. Therefore, it is one of the reasons for failure to reduce the mortality rate. Olympus aims to contribute to improving the screening rate for gastric and colorectal cancer and reducing the number of cancer deaths through regular cancer screening for the general public.

1 Source: National Cancer Center Cancer Information Service, National Research and Development Agency

Screening for 25 types of cancer: After conducting clinical trials over a long period of time, it has been scientifically proven that the benefits of undergoing cancer screening, with the advantage of reducing the risk of death, outweigh the disadvantages.

Details of the main survey results

1. The awareness rate of "the cure rate by early detection and treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer is above 90%" is less than 30%

Gastric and colorectal cancers have a very high possibility of being cured if detected and treated early, with a cure rate of over 98%※1. However, according to the results of the consciousness survey, less than 30% of people are aware of this. In addition, many people have a perception that is divergent from the facts, with about 30% answering that the cure rate is less than 60%. The benefits of early detection and treatment are still not widely recognized.

1 According to the Five-Year Relative Survival Rate by Clinical Stage and Site for All Sites 2011-2013, National Cancer Center, Japan.

Awareness of the cure rate by early detection and treatment of gastric and colorectal cancer

2. Cancer screening is polarized between those who receive and those who do not

The rate of gastric and colorectal cancer screening for the entire target age group was less than 40%. When examining the screening awareness of screening attenders/non-attenders, about 70% of screening attenders answered that they should undergo screening at designated intervals even if they do not have any symptoms, whereas only about 20% of non-attenders answered in the same way. It was found that the fact that it is important to undergo regular cancer screening even if there are no symptoms is not widely recognized.

Awareness of cancer screening for those who have received screening and those who have not.

Of the non-screening group for gastric and colorectal cancer, about 30% answered that they did not have any symptoms, as the reason why they did not receive screening.

Of the non-screening group, about 30% replied that they did not have any particular symptoms, which is the most common reason for not receiving cancer screening. It is said that in general, there are few noticeable symptoms in the early stages of cancer, and it is important to receive cancer screening regularly even when there are no symptoms. Screening is for people who have no symptoms, yet this survey revealed that many people do not understand this concept itself.

Left: Reasons why non-screeners did not receive gastric cancer screening; Right: Reasons why non-screeners did not receive colorectal cancer screening.
On the right: Reasons for non-participation in colorectal cancer screening among "those who did not receive it".

Comment from supervising physician, Dr. Nozomi Kobayashi (Director of the Screening Center, National Cancer Center Hospital): By this survey, it was revealed that cancer screening is becoming polarized between those who receive it and those who do not (for all five types of cancers). Approximately 70% of screening recipients answered that they should be screened at predetermined intervals even if they have no noticeable symptoms, while non-screeners accounted for about 20%, revealing a significant difference. It is important to receive cancer screening in the absence of noticeable symptoms in the early stages of cancer, yet it is clear that many people still misunderstand the concept of screening itself. Also, it was revealed that the effect of reducing the mortality rate through early detection and treatment is still not fully recognized. In particular, for gastric and colorectal cancer, over 98% will be cured by early detection and treatment.※2 For those who are of target age with no symptoms, please make sure to undergo screening as a means of early detection.

By this survey, it was revealed that cancer screening is becoming polarized between those who receive it and those who do not (for all five types of cancers). Approximately 70% of screening recipients answered that they should be screened at predetermined intervals even if they have no noticeable symptoms, while non-screeners accounted for about 20%, revealing a significant difference. It is important to receive cancer screening in the absence of noticeable symptoms in the early stages of cancer, yet it is clear that many people still misunderstand the concept of screening itself. Also, it was revealed that the effect of reducing the mortality rate through early detection and treatment is still not fully recognized. In particular, for gastric and colorectal cancer, over 98% will be cured by early detection and treatment.※2 For those who are of target age with no symptoms, please make sure to undergo screening as a means of early detection.

Five types of recommended cancer screening measures by the government: gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.

5-year relative survival rate of all cancer department cases by the National Cancer Center Council, full cancer alliance and clinical stage by 2011-2013 diagnosis cases.

Web publication of survey results (all survey results).

For the entire survey results, please see our company's website "Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Screening and Endoscopy Awareness Survey White Paper 2024."

Survey Overview

- Survey period: March 8th, 2024 (Fri) to March 21st, 2024 (Thu) - Survey method: Internet survey - Survey target: 14,100 men and women in their 40s to 60s nationwide (50 men and women in each prefecture and age group) - Supervising physician: Dr. Nozomi Kobayashi / Director of the Screening Center, National Cancer Center Hospital -Note: Since the composition ratio of scores (%) is rounded to the second decimal place, the total may not necessarily be 100%.
We at Olympus aim to achieve the health, safety, and enrichment of people around the world as our purpose. As a leading global medtech company, we will contribute to improving the medical standards for the target disease by providing optimal solutions and services that assist in the early detection, diagnosis, and low-invasion treatment of the lesions, in collaboration with medical professionals. Since our founding over 100 years ago, we will continue to aim to contribute to society by providing products that bring optimal value to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the Olympus official website () and X (@ Olympus_Corp_JP).
- Survey target: 14,100 men and women aged 40 to 60 nationwide (50 men and women of each age group in each prefecture).
Supervising physician: Dr. Nozomi Kobayashi / Director of the Screening Center, National Cancer Center Hospital
*The composition ratio (%) of scores is rounded off to the second decimal place, so the total may not necessarily be 100%.

Olympus aims to achieve the health, safety, and enrichment of people around the world as our purpose. We, as a leading global medtech company, will contribute to improving the medical standards for the target disease by providing optimal solutions and services that assist in the early detection, diagnosis, and low-invasion treatment of the lesions, in collaboration with medical professionals. Since our founding over 100 years ago, we will continue to aim to contribute to society by providing products that bring optimal value to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the Olympus official website () and X (@ Olympus_Corp_JP).