information about Fukushima published in English in Japanese media info publiée en anglais dans la presse japonaise
8 Février 2014
February 7, 2014
Eight more Fukushima kids found with thyroid cancer; disaster link denied
JIJI
FUKUSHIMA – Eight more Fukushima children have been confirmed as having thyroid gland cancer following the prefecture’s checkups, a local panel of experts said Friday, ruling out any link to the Tepco triple-meltdown calamity.
The prefecture began the checkups in 2011 due to the nuclear disaster at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power station. Those subject to the measure were 18 or under at that time.
The panel, made up mainly of doctors and other medical experts, said it is unlikely the disease was caused by exposure to radiation from radioactive materials from the stricken power station.
The panel said 75 people were suspected of having thyroid gland cancer as of the end of last year, of whom 33 were confirmed as having the disease. Three months before, the number of confirmed patients stood at 25.
The total number of people eligible for the checkups is 375,000, of whom about 270,000 have been examined.