What is it about?
Some cancers are linked to infections that can be prevented or controlled through measures such as vaccination, screening, and treatment. However, the economic burden of these cancers in Japan has not been well understood. In this study, we systematically reviewed research on the costs of infection-related cancers in Japan and examined how these costs have changed. We found that the economic costs of stomach and liver cancers associated with infections declined substantially between 1996 and 2020. In contrast, the economic burden of HPV-related cervical cancer increased during the same period. These findings show that although the overall economic burden of infection-related cancers has decreased, cervical cancer remains an important area for prevention and further research.
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Why is it important?
Infection-related cancers are partly preventable, so understanding their economic burden can help identify where prevention efforts may have the greatest impact. This study is important because it provides one of the first systematic assessments of how the economic costs of infection-related cancers in Japan have changed over time. By bringing together evidence from previous studies, we show a clear contrast between declining costs for infection-related stomach and liver cancers and the increasing economic burden of HPV-related cervical cancer. These findings provide an economic perspective that can complement epidemiological evidence and may help researchers and policymakers consider priorities for cancer prevention, vaccination, and screening in Japan.
Perspectives
I find this research particularly meaningful because it connects cancer prevention with its broader economic consequences. As a health economist, I am interested not only in how many people are affected by a disease, but also in how disease can create costs for individuals, healthcare systems, and society. What particularly stood out to me in this study was the different trends across infection-related cancers: while the economic burden of stomach and liver cancers decreased, the costs associated with HPV-related cervical cancer continued to rise. I hope this perspective encourages greater attention to the economic consequences of preventable cancers and supports further research on how prevention and early detection can reduce both health and economic burdens in Japan.
Dr. Trinh Nguyen
Hiroshima University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Time-trend costs of infection-related cancers in Japan: a systematic review, Discover Public Health, April 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12982-025-00577-8.
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