Annual Report 2020
Division of Cancer Survivorship Research
Fumihiko Wakao, Miyako Tsuchiya, Akiko Kimata, Risako Fujita, Mayumi Saito
Introduction
The missions of the Division of Cancer Survivorship Research are to enhance the quality of life of people with cancer and their caregivers, and to promote social awareness in Japan about cancer survivorship issues.
The Team and What We Do
As for academic research, we deal with various survivorship-related issues experienced by cancer survivors and their caregivers during and after treatments such as employment, education, interpersonal relationships, late effects of cancer treatment, and strategies of implementation and dissemination of research evidence into community settings. In particular, we examine the influence of the Japanese socio-cultural background and health policies on living with, through, and beyond cancer, and try to propose countermeasures based on the research findings.
As for activities to promote social awareness toward cancer survivorship, we plan and implement educational programs listed in the education section for the general public as well as for healthcare providers.
Research activities
The research projects we conducted in 2020 include “the evaluation of the website for AYA cancer survivors” (https://plaza.umin.ac.jp/~aya-support/), “the development of survivorship care model”, “cancer and education for childhood/AYA onset cancer survivors”, “the development of lymphedema prevention support program for female cancer survivors”, and “the web-based active leaning program for reducing public stigma against cancer”.
This year, we published five research articles in English, one research article in Japanese. We also conducted one symposium presentations, and eight oral/poster presentations at academic meetings.
Education
As for education and academic lectures, we delivered more than 10 lectures in 2020 in answer to request from medical institutions, academic organization, local governments, medical associations, and patient advocacy groups nationwide.
Future Prospects
Cancer survivorship research and care practice is indispensable in creating a society in which we can live in peace after having cancer. Our division will conduct research on a wide variety of cancer survivorship issues and propose countermeasures for them. We are going to develop activities in cooperation with domestic and international researchers and practitioners.
List of papers published in 2020
Journal
1. Tsuchiya M*, Adachi K, Kumagai K, Kondo N, Kimata A. Cancer disclosure to friends: Survey on psychological distress and perceived social support provision. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2020 Oct 2;e13332. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13332.
2. Tsuchiya M*, Horio Y, Funazaki H, Aogi K, Miyauchi K, Arai Y, Takahashi M. Impact of gender and employment type on job loss among cancer survivors. JJCO. 50 766-771.
3. Rikitake R, Kamitani S, Takahashi M, Higashi T. Workplace Support Systems in Small- and Medium-Sized Companies for Employees Receiving Medical Treatment in Japan. Global Journal of Health Science 12(3): 91-102.
4. Matsuoka YJ, Okubo R, Shimizu Y, Tsuji K, Narisawa T, Sasaki J, Sasai H, Akashi-Tanaka S, Hamaguchi T, Iwasa T, Iwata S, Kato T, Kurotani K, Maruyama D, Mori A, Ogawa A, Sakurai N, Shimazu T, Shimizu C, Tabuchi T, Takahashi M, Takano T, Tatematsu N, Uchitomi Y, Watanabe C, Fukui T. Developing the structure of Japan’s cancer survivorship guidelines using an expert panel and modified Delphi method. J Cancer Surviv 14(3): 273-283
5. Suzuki H, Seki A, Hosaka T, Matsumoto N, Tomita M, Takahashi M, Yamauchi H. Effects of a structured group intervention on obesity among breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer, 2020 Mar; 27(2):236-242.