Health conditions of the population and some outcomes of the international collaborative research programs in the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan

From 1949 to 1989, about 450 nuclear explosions were conducted at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan, which resulted in substantial levels of radiation exposure of neighboring settlements and their residents. The incidence of oncological diseases in the East Kazakhstan region, including Semipalatinsk, are very high in comparison to other regions of Kazakhstan. For example, the incidence of breast cancer in East Kazakhstan is 1.5-fold higher in comparison to the average rate of breast cancer in Kazakhstan and is 2.5-fold higher than that in South Kazakhstan. We documented the prevalence of breast cancer morbidity among patients from zones of extreme radiation risk and maximal radiation risk. Our results show an apparently strong association between fallout exposure and the prevalence of thyroid diseases. After the Tokyo International Conference in 1999, in which the health problems of populations living close to the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and methods of its rehabilitation were discussed, the Japanese government, JICA, scientists and NGO from Japan provided a really valuable support for the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan. Modern medical equipment was granted by the Japanese government. Installed Telemedicine was very valuable for consultation of 1822 patients. Screening program covered more than 34,000 inhabitants from exposed and non-exposed villages.Collaborative research projects with scientists from Japan, including Nagasaki University, allowed us to successfully conduct epidemiological research projects in the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan and considerably improve diagnosis and treatment of many diseases related to consequences of nuclear weapons testing.