Doctors: Radiation not biggest impact on Fukushima health
TOKYO (AP) — A total of 185 cases of thyroid cancer found in youngsters in the Japanese region hit by the 2011 nuclear disaster cannot be linked to radiation, which is not the biggest cause of health problems for residents, doctors said Thursday.
A team of doctors from Fukushima Medical University conducting a health survey of Fukushima residents found the 185 cases of malignant or suspected thyroid cancer in children.
Thyroid cancer is among the most curable cancers, though some patients who have their thyroid removed need lifelong medication and regular checks.
A study by his team member, Tetsuya Ohira, has found obesity, diabetes, and liver and heart problems have increased among older evacuees compared to their health status before the tsunami, an increased risk of developing strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
International studies on Fukushima have predicted that cancer rates will not rise as a result of the nuclear accident, though some researchers say the rate of thyroid cancer in the prefecture is higher than what is generally found and could be related to radiation.