[Mass screening program for cancer].

Since Japan, a national cancer control program has been initiated in 1957. The fundamental principles were set up in 1965. Under these principles, the Ministry of Health and Welfare granted financial support for stomach and uterine cancer mass screening programs, which were conducted by the local governments. At that time, the number of examinees was limited; 990,000 persons for stomach cancer screening program and 127,000 persons for uterine cancer screening program in 1966. However, it increased rapidly year after year and reached to 4,350,000 examinees for the stomach cancer and 2,656,000 examinees for the uterine cancer In 1983, the Health Promotion Act for the Aged was enacted. The Act prescribes the local municipalities to conduct stomach and uterine cancer mass screening programs for their inhabitants. This report describes a historical review of the development of the mass screening programs, especially on the objection objection against the programs in 1967-69 and in 1978-79, and on the reaction to those objection. The definition of mass screening programs and the future of mass screening are discussed.