Fukushima Health Management Survey updated, focusing on thyroid and mental health (the 2nd International Symposium)
This symposium was held on Feb 2-3, 2020, in Fukushima City, Japan, and the chief members of the Fukushima Health Management Survey and related Japanese academic societies participated as speakers.
Dr. Takashi Matsuzuka (Fukushima Medical University) introduced the new informed consent form prepared for the residents in Fukushima who are the subjects for thyroid screening. With this form, they will be informed not only of the harm but also the benefits of thyroid US screening. It says that early detection of thyroid cancer with US can increase QOL, because it can reduce complications and side effects of surgery, and can also reduce further metastasis or recurrence of thyroid cancer.
Dr. Masafumi Kitaoka (IMS Miyoshi General Hospital) said that in order to continue thyroid US screening for a long time in Fukushima, it is necessary to disseminate US technology. Expansion of educational programs for medical staffs in Fukushima are now scheduled, so that the quality of US testing should be maintained.
Prof. Shinichi Suzuki (Fukushima Medical University) reported a summary of the cases of juvenile thyroid cancer operated at Fukushima Medical University. Most patients underwent lobectomy of the thyroid. To date, 7% of these patients have shown recurrence. The recurrence rate in these patients was higher than that in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. He said overdiagnosis and overtreatment are negligible in Fukushima since, not like in other countries, diagnosis and surgery are performed in more sophisticated manners, so thyroid screening does no harm to the residents. He also said thyroid US screening should be continued to clarify the health effects of low-level radiation exposure.