Annual Report 2020
Division of Medical Support and Partnership
Masashi Kato, Jun Itami, Nobuyoshi Hiraoka, Hirokazu Takahashi, Rie Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Saito, Yoichi Shimizu, Toshiyuki Minemura, Yoko Nakazawa, Ryoko Machii, Takashi Hanada, Emi Takeuchi, Mikiko Kaizu, Risa Yamazaki, Kazuko Matsuda, Kaishi Satomi, Hiroshi Saito, Hiroaki Onaya, Hidenori Ojima, Manami Fujishita, Saran Yoshida, Miki Takahashi, Kiyomi Iino, Tokiko Iguchi, Hiroyo Ohchi, Mayumi Kobayashi, Ritsuko Chinda, Hiromi Nakamura, Mamiko Maeshima, Mika Mizumoto, Yuri Yamauchi
Introduction
The Division enhances partnerships among designated cancer hospitals to support all health professionals concerned with cancer control in Japan.
The Medical Support and Partnership Section (MSPS) plays a unique role in supporting designated cancer hospitals in Japan.
The Pathology Consultation Section (PCS) aims to perform human pathology research based on the histology of tumor cells and tumor- stromal cells to improve diagnostic pathology of the tumors.
The Outreach Radiation Oncology and Physics section (ORP) provides the following support programs for designated regional cancer centers and institutions participating in clinical trials.
The Cancer Control Education and Training Section (CCETS) plays the role of planning and managing specialized and multidisciplinary training programs for health professionals in designated cancer hospitals, to promote a comprehensive and systematic cancer control program in Japan.
The Cancer Screening Management Section (CSMS) supports the development of quality assurance management of cancer screening programs, particularly nationwide programs, which are based on the Basic Cancer Control Plan.
The Team and What We Do
1. Networking among Designated Cancer Care Hospitals
The MSPS has regularly held the liaison council of designated cancer hospitals and the palliative care committee to enhance partnerships among the designated cancer hospitals, and the PDCA Cycle Forum to improve the quality of cancer care in Japan.
Table 1. Training programs conducted from April 2020 to March 2021
2. Pathology consultation service
The PCS received 618 cases requesting a specialist's second opinion regarding histopathological diagnosis (2020.4 - 2021.3). There are 91 consultants registered, with many of them highly recognized experts in specialty disciplines. One of those assigned as a consultant examines the slides and quickly sends back his or her opinion report to each client. Most of the clients expressed satisfaction with the content of the reports and this consultation system.
3. Radiotherapy case service
Mailed dosimetry was performed in 128 institutions at the ORP. All data of the institutions were within the permissible limit.
4. Quality assurance (QA) activities in cancer screening
1) The CSMS collected the information related to the implementation of cancer screening and its management situation using Checklists (CLs) as a structure indicator in quality assurance (QA) in municipalities. The CSMS also evaluated process indicators in all municipalities by prefecture in order to improve the quality of cancer screening.
2) The CSMS examined the method of activating QA by prefectural initiatives and set up the website as a tool that supports the prefectural activity. In 2020, a prefecture-based database about CLs and process indicators, and the manual of QA for prefectural or municipal staff were published on the website.
Research activities
1. The National Mortality follow-back survey
The MSPS has conducted population-based mortality follow-back survey to evaluate good death in Japan.
2. Development of the IMRT quality control support program
The ORP have developed the third-party evaluation system that integrated Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).
3. National cancer screening implementation status survey
The CSMS surveyed and analyzed the implementation status of cancer screening (screening content and QA level) in prefectures and municipalities, summarized it as the national cancer screening implementation status data book <2020> and returned these evaluations.
Clinical trials
The on-site dosimetry regarding the output dose of IMRT
In Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG1208, 1212, 1303, 1402, 1408), the ORP performed the postal dosimetry regarding the output dose of IMRT in 37 institutions.
Education
The CCETS provides multidisciplinary training programs for Palliative Care Teams and Chemotherapy Teams. Community-based palliative care resources optimizer education, a project commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is a unique program for health-related professionals who work towards palliative care collaboration in the community.
The CSMS conducted training workshops for cancer workers in prefectures and municipalities. In addition, we provided guidance separately to prefectures that requested such guidance.
Future Prospects
The MSPS will regularly conduct the National Mortality follow-back survey. The survey data provides information to inform policy requirements, including the end of life care strategy.
The CSMS will continue implementation, surveillance, and support of cancer screening conducted by municipalities according to national cancer control and cancer screening measures, as well as quality control based on the actual understanding of cancer screening in worksite screening, and aims to conduct organized screening throughout the whole country.