Promoting Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Cancers are Curable if Detected Early

Over the past decade, breast cancer has been the leading type of cancer contracted by Japanese women in the 30-64 age bracket. Breast cancer also has one of the highest mortality rates. In Western countries, where numbers of women contracting breast cancer rose earlier than in Japan, the introduction of X-ray mammography screening programs in the 1980s has successfully reduced mortality by catching the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage (even though its morbidity has continued to increase).
Toshiba has been conducting R&D into X-ray mammography since the 1970s. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (TMSC), which was established as an independent company within Toshiba Group in 2003, is the only Japanese company that develops and sells X-ray mammography equipment and also offers a full range of related services.

Specialists link Developers and Users

TMSC aims to develop medical diagnostic imaging systems that provide an accurate diagnosis while at the same time creating a comfortable and stress-free environment both for technicians and for those undergoing screening. The company employs "application specialists" who hold nationally recognized technologist qualifications in diagnostic radiology. These specialists are involved in explaining the use of mammography equipment to physicians and technicians and providing related services, using their insight into clinical perspectives.
Rina Takahashi, a TMSC X-ray application specialist, visits clinics on a daily basis. She wishes to "contribute to the early detection of breast cancer by providing services that support more accurate screening."
Mitsue Koizumi of the Radiology Department, Toyoko Hospital, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, speaks highly of the existence of application specialists: "They are on hand to provide answers whenever questions or issues arise. For example, they quickly come up with suggestions on ways to improve image resolution or adjust screening programs to shorten X-Ray exposure times without compromising diagnostic accuracy."
Working together with medical institutions, TMSC specialists have also been responsible for a number of value-added innovations and improvements. A notable example is the development of breast screening equipment designed specifically for Japanese women. To enable screening to maximize the chances of detecting early-stage tumors, it is important during the taking of the mammogram to press the breast as flat as possible while preventing movement. TMSC developed specially modified equipment to accommodate the smaller average breast size of Japanese women (compared with Western women). This solved a problem that was causing poor images in some cases by allowing technicians to gain better control over the positioning of the screening subjects.

The Importance of Accurate Information

Although the Japanese Government has advocated mammography screening since 2000, so far only 2% of women in the relevant age band are screened each year. The equivalent figure in the U.S. is 70%. To raise the incidence of screening, Japan has an urgent need to establish facilities for taking mammograms in each region and to train sufficient physicians and technicians with the necessary expertise. With breast cancer morbidity rising, a public education program is also required to tell people that 90% of breast cancers are curable if detected and treated early. Since 2003, TMSC has been involved in the Pink Ribbon campaign, which aims to raise public awareness about breast cancer. The company has sponsored a variety of events. Toshiba Group also sponsored Pink Ribbon events in 2004.

The pink ribbon symbolizes the need for women to take good care of their breasts to avoid cancer.

Aiming to Make a Greater Contribution to Medicine

Although Japan has now designated breast cancer prevention a health priority and begun allocating public money to mammographic screening, public services remain lacking in this area. Ms.Koizumi points out: "This is largely because many local authorities and hospitals do not have the budgets to purchase the expensive screening equipment. Many believe that a better public debate is required before further progress can be made. There is also scope for equipment manufacturers to play a bigger role by supporting clinics and hospitals on technical issues such as adjusting equipment settings and X-ray exposure management, which would make it easier for hospitals to introduce new mammography services."
Breast cancer does great damage to society through its impact on the female working population. Under its "Made for Life" basic commitment, TMSC provides reliable, high-quality products and services for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Working through multifaceted activities, the ultimate aims of TMSC remain to improve the quality of life of patients and to contribute to the future of medicine.

Toshiba has sponsored the production of educational pamphlets such as these on proper breast care and cancer screening.