'Sharp spike' in thyroid cancer cases at Fukushima prefecture

The number of thyroid cases in Fukushima residents has reportedly gone up since August, according to the Fukushima Prefectural Government.

The number of confirmed cases of thyroid cancer was up by eight to 26, while the suspected cases rose by seven to 32 by September 30, the Japan Times reports.

The prefecture screened about 226,000 people, aged 18 or younger, since October 2011 after the Fukushima nuclear plant was hit by a twin disaster of Tsunami and earthquake that led to the meltdown in three of its reactors.

According to the report, the 26 confirmed cases have undergone surgery and are recovering from the ailment.

A panel of experts at the prefecture, however, said that it was too early to link the cases to the nuclear disaster, because the type of cancer found in the residents, papillary thyroid cancer, develops at a very slow pace.

The prefecture will expand the screening tests next April to address worries among local residents with children, and it will also include people born after the disaster.