[sumo] (Slightly OT) Japanese medical system (was: Asashoryu Likely Return To Mongolia)

[Barbara]

Judith Douglas wrote:
> So if I am in Japan,  I would hope I had a medical/surgical problem that 
> would not be newsworthy.  On the other hand,  I would not want to be 
> giving birth to conjoined twins, since I would be first page on Wai-wai.
> 
> I have great respect regarding the general health care system in Japan.
> 
> Jude O'Malley Douglas (Huzayomama)
> 

The Japanese health system has some oddities.  One of them involves 
cancer.  Their surgical skill might be among the best in the world in 
removing tumors.  Their surgical outcome is awesome. On the other hand, 
Japan's use of radiation treatments for cancer is very poor.  Not a 
treatment you will get quickly or easily in Japan, according to reports. 
If you want radiation treatment you would have to find a teaching 
hospital or other major institution, or go to the US or elsewhere.  When 
I learned this, I wondered if a deep anti-atom bias pervading Japanese 
culture might be responsible.  I don't know the explanation.
Barbara Murasakihana