Annual Report 2022
Ladies Center
Tatsuya Onishi, Toru Mukohara, Miki Kondo, Hiroshi Tabe, Takuya Higashino, Asao Ogawa, Masaki Nakamura, Ako Hosono, Keiko Kamoshita, Eibai Kaku, Saori Mishima, Natsumi Oda, Masato Yonemura, Takeshi Kuwata, Hatoe Sakamoto, Junya Ueno, Tsukasa Ito, Hideyuki Yoshizumi, Kaori Kimura
Introduction
The Ladies Center provides cancer care with a focus on supporting female cancer patients and addressing their individual needs and preferences. It collaborates not only with the specialized department, but also with related departments within the hospital to ensure comprehensive medical services. The services listed below are provided to female cancer patients in a structured manner. The center expanded its activities to include male cancer patients, emphasizing fertility preservation and LGBTQ initiatives, and was renamed the LIFE Support Center in October 2022.
The Team and What We Do
Activities focus on fertility counseling and preservation, support for pediatric and AYA (adolescent and young adult) cancer patients, appearance-related counseling and support, LGBTQ initiatives, and genetic counseling. The center also provides risk-reduction surgery for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and rehabilitation for conditions such as lymphedema.
Support and Services Provided:
1. Fertility preservation efforts, including collaboration with external facilities and the establishment of an infertility clinic.
2. Support for pediatric and AYA cancer patients.
3. Social support and appearance-related counseling.
4. Genetic counseling and risk reduction surgery for HBOC.
5. Rehabilitation counseling and evaluation, especially for lymphedema.
6. Management of treatment side effects through counseling, including inquiries about the impact on fertility.
Ladies Center Coordination
The Ladies Center assigns dedicated nurses to interact with female cancer patients, conducting interviews and surveys to understand their unique medical backgrounds and concerns. Coordination with relevant departments allows for comprehensive care. In fiscal year 2022, the center handled a total of 929 consultations and responses.
Research Activities
1. Established an internal workflow for fertility consultation and response.
2. Continued surveillance and risk reduction surgeries for HBOC based on the implemented system.
3. Addressed LGBTQ issues through a working group and organized seminars on LGBTQ issues.
Future Prospects
Since October 2022, the center has operated as the LIFE Support Center, expanding its services to all cancer patients, regardless of gender. It focuses on AYA patient support, appearance-related counseling, lymphedema clinics, and LGBTQ initiatives.