The 5th JICA Training Course, Community-based Cancer Prevention (Epidemiological Approach)

Cancer is the leading cause of deaths in developed countries, while communicable diseases are still more important in ‍in developing countries (WHO 2000). Boffetta and Parkin have estimated cancer to account for 13 percent of the annual ‍deaths in adults of developing countries (Boffetta and Parkin 1994). However, relative distribution of cancer deaths increases ‍in developing countries, with economic development and longer life span (Walgate 1984; Chackiel 1999). Actually, the ‍magnitude of the differences in age-adjusted mortality rates of all sites but skin cancers between the more and less developed ‍countries (173.9 vs. 112.9 in males and 103.1 vs. 77.5 in females) is not so large, compared with the crude rates (257.6 vs. ‍82.3 in males and 189.7 vs. 63.8 in females) (Ferlay, 2001). Limitations of medical facilities and equipment in developing ‍countries lead means that prevention as an indispensable measure for cancer control (Mikheev et al. 1994). However, ‍human resources concerning cancer prevention are limited, and encouragement of their development should be taken as a ‍first priority .
To assist in development of human resources concerning cancer prevention, the present training course was designed by ‍the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan, and has been annually conducted ‍since 1999, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (Takezaki, 2001; 2002). This course targets ‍doctors and public health workers who are responsible for community-based cancer prevention in developing countries to ‍promote the introduction of comprehensive procedures, focusing mainly on primary prevention but also including secondary ‍prevention of cancer. ‍
The Japanese Government extends official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries to support self-help ‍efforts that will lead to economic progress and a better life for their citizens. Since its foundation in 1974, JICA has ‍implemented Japan's technical cooperation under the ODA programme. Currently, JICA conducts such activities as training, ‍dispatch of experts, provision of equipment, project-type technical cooperation, development studies, dispatch of cooperation ‍volunteers (JOCV), and surveys and administration of capital grant aid programs. Hosting training programs for overseas ‍participants is one of JICA's fundamental technical cooperation activities for developing countries. Participants come from ‍target countries to obtain knowledge and technology training in a wide variety of fields. The objectives of the JICA training ‍program are: 1) to contribute to the development of the human resources necessary to promote progress in developing ‍countries, and 2) to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship.
‍The present report concerns revision of contents in this 5th course, with a commentary regarding improvements for the ‍next, second-phase course. ‍