Cancer can be discovered suddenly, or through suspicion and detailed examination. Fukuhara’s breast cancer wasdiscovered at a different clinic after being diagnosed as “not breast cancer” at one hospital.

Why did this happen? One reason lies in the difference between a routine, assembly-line approach to ultrasoundexaminations, and a focused examination based on clinical suspicion. The former often involves fewer images and a cursory review, while the latter, driven by suspicion, involves more thorough imaging. The extensive and meticulous nature of the subsequent detailed examinations, after cancer was detected, suggests this initial discrepancy.

We all produce cancer cells in our bodies to a nearly equal degree, even those not diagnosed with cancer. However, becoming a “cancer patient” depends on diagnosis. We focus on this potential for disparity arising from differences in recognition. The significant difference in the number of ultrasound images depending on the situation highlights the uncertainty of our perception.