Japan’s Lawson stores make cancer screenings more convenient

The Kyoto Prefecture is teaming up with Japanese convenience store chain Lawson to make cancer screenings more convenient and accessible to the public, reported website RocketNews24.

Mobile clinics, which will be set up inside the stores or in the adjacent parking lots, are expected to be launched in a limited number of Lawson stores in spring.

Depending on the outcome, the program could be expanded and the services would be available at more than 300 Lawson convenience stores in the area.

The Lawson and Kyoto Prefecture partnership aims to increase public’s access to health services particularly those who live in rural areas and make health screenings more visible to the youth and individuals who don’t get regular check-ups.

Lawson has already launched similar programs in other regions like in Hyogo Prefecture, where mobile medical centers make regular stops at Lawson stores to offer medical check-ups with no additional fees or reservations asked. During 2014, 234 individuals availed of the services.