TOKYO - Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) announced the details of its cervical cancer awareness activities to increase the screening rate.

The activities target the age group most at risk for developing cervical cancer and parents of adolescents.

The number of younger patients with cervical cancer has been increasing in recent years, particularly among those in their 20s to 40s.1) The cervical cancer screening is the only cancer screening program that is currently recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for women aged 20 or above since this type of cancer should be detected at early curable stage.2) In Japan, however, the cervical cancer screening rate still remains at 42.1%,3) the lowest level in 30 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In order to eradicate cervical cancer, Chugai started disease awareness activities last year to improve the screening rate in Japan in collaboration with Osaka, Yokohama and other local governments. This year, Chugai rolls out further activities in partnership with Roche Diagnostics K.K. (Head Office, Tokyo; President and CEO, Makoto Ogasawara; hereinafter 'RDKK'), the Japanese subsidiary of the Diagnostics Division of Roche Group, by leveraging the strengths of both companies. Specifically, the activities will include the shared use of disease awareness videos, brochures, and posters, as well as disease awareness initiatives through a tie-up with local governments with which we have concluded the comprehensive partnership agreements. RDKK has been actively focusing on the importance of early detection of cervical cancer with HPV testing and engaging in various awareness activities to prevent cervical cancer since 2009.

Contact:

Tomoko Shimizu

Tel: +81-3-3273-0881

Email: pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp

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