The JICA Training Course, Community-Based Cancer Prevention for Asian Pacific Countries, 2004 (Epidemiological approach).

Communicable diseases are still major causes of deaths in developing countries. Cancer incidence, however, increased 19% between 1990 and 2000, mainly in this same developing world (Stewart 2003), and malignant neoplasms are now the second leading cause of mortality in these countries (WHO 2003). Limitations of medical facilities and equipment means that prevention is indispensable 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 this aim, 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; 2003). The 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 screening for secondary prevention of cancer. The Japanese Government extends official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries to support selfhelp 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 program. Currently, JICA conducts such activities as training, dispatch of experts, provision of equipment, project-type technical cooperation, development studies, dispatch of cooperation volunteers 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 The JICA Training Course, Community-based Cancer Prevention for Asian Pacific Countries, 2004 (Epidemiological Approach)