# Outline of the “Cancer Control Act”

## Chapter I General Provisions

### 1. Purpose

• Although cancer control in Japan has made progress and gained certain achievements through conventional measures, cancer remains an important issue in people's lives and health. In order to further improve cancer control, therefore, the following matters are being provided in controlling cancer control in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

### 2. Basic Ideas

• In addition to promoting specialized, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive cancer research, dissemination/utilization and further expansion of the results of research with the aim of overcoming cancer

• Enable cancer patients to receive appropriate treatment based on scientific knowledge regardless of the region in which they reside.

• Establish a system that provides medical cancer care in which the treatment is selected according to the situation of the patient and respect paid to their own intentions.

### 3. Responsibilities of Relevant Parties

• Prescribe the responsibilities of the government, local governments, health care insurers, the public, and doctors

## Chapter II The Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control Programs, etc

• In addition to consulting the directors of the relevant administrative organizations the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare will hear the opinions of the Cancer Control Promotion Council, formulate the draft of a Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control Programs, and then request for a Cabinet decision.

• The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may make the necessary requests for the Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control Programs to be implemented to the directors of the relevant administrative organizations.

• Prefectures to formulate Prefectural Plans to Promote Cancer Control Programs.

## Chapter III Basic Measures

1. Promotion of prevention and early discovery of cancer

• Implement required measures for promoting cancer prevention, and improved cancer screening and its promotion.

### 2. Promotion of equalization of cancer medical services

• Implement required measures for training cancer specialists, establishing core hospitals/cooperation system, maintenance and improved quality of the recuperation life of cancer patients, and establishing a system to collect/provide information on cancer medical care.

### 3. Promotion of cancer research

• Implement required measures for promoting cancer research and improving the environment for the early approval of drugs/medical devices that are highly needed in cancer treatment.

## Chapter IV The Cancer Control Promotion Council

• Establish a Cancer Control Promotion Council within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a council that will formulate the Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control Programs.

• Members of the council will be appointed from representatives of cancer patients and their families or the bereaved, cancer medical care professions, and academic experts by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, with the number of members not exceeding 20.

## Chapter V Date of Enforcement

• The date of enforcement of this law shall be April 1, 2007.

• With regard to the establishment of the Cancer Control Promotion Council, the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shall be revised in establishing the required provisions.