Evaluation of the Interim Report on Thyroid Cancer Compiled by the Expert Meeting on Health Management After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident
The Expert Meeting on Health Management After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident examines various measures concerning dose evaluation, health management and medical services from an expert perspective.
It publicized the Interim Report in December 2014 and concluded that regarding the thyroid cancer cases found through the Initial Screening of Thyroid Ultrasound Examination conducted as part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey, "no grounds positively suggesting that those cases are attributable to the nuclear accident are found at this moment."
However, the Expert Meeting points out the necessity to continue the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination as follows.
- "The trend of the incidence of thyroid cancer, which is especially a matter of concern among the residents, needs to be carefully monitored under the recognition that radiation health management requires a mid- to long-term perspective in light of the uncertainties of estimated exposure doses. (Interim Report by the Expert Meeting on Health Management After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident; December 2014)
- "The possibility of radiation effects may be small but cannot be completely denied at this point in time. Additionally, it is necessary to accumulate information in the long term for accurate evaluation of the effects. Therefore, the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination should be continued, while meticulously explaining the disadvantages of receiving the examination and obtaining the understanding of examinees." (Interim Report by the Prefectural Oversight Committee Meeting for Fukushima Health Management Survey; March 2016)
- "Continuing the Fukushima Health Management Survey and the Thyroid Ultrasound Examination for children based on the present protocol is positioned as one of the major priorities in scientific studies." (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) 2013 Report)
- Included in this reference material on February 28, 2018