Annual Report 2022
Appearance Support Center
Shoko Toma, Tomomi Kobayashi, Keiko Nozawa, Naoya Yamazaki (Joint appointment in the Department of Dermatologic Oncology), Ayumi Saito (Joint appointment in the department of medical oncology), Masao Arikawa (Joint appointment in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery), Ryoko Udagawa (Joint appointment in the Pharmaceutical Department), Akiko Kubo (Joint appointment in the Pharmaceutical Department), Masako Imai
The Team and What We Do
As to clinical activities, our team comprises three clinical psychologists (each with one full-time and two part time) whom both in- and out-patients as well as their families consult for questions and concerns regarding physical appearance. Example issues include the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on skin, nails and hair and scarring and epithesis from surgeries and breast surgery. To expand our practice beyond consultation alone, we are currently developing a new team in collaboration with a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, medical oncologist, pharmacist and nurses.
Consultation support for appearance changes is provided at the Appearance Support Center on the 1st floor. Preoperative and postoperative consultations for head and neck cancer patients are conducted at the Patient Support Research and Development Center on the 8th floor, mainly in collaboration with the Perioperative Outpatient Clinic.
In FY2022, compared to previous years, the number of interventions and the number of patients decreased significantly due to ward closures caused by the spread of COVID-19 infection. There were 348 new patients for individual consultations, of which 110 were eligible for the cancer patient guidance and management fee (b). The outpatient space is open from Monday to Thursday from noon to 1 pm, during which time patients can freely try on different products and consult staff. Despite having limited hours for security reasons, we saw 718 patients. We also conduct a patient program every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm, the main aim of which is to provide patients with medical information through group sessions. We had 48 group sessions in which 89 patients participated. The total number of interventions was 2,545. Online "Appearance Care Course for Workers" was conducted once a month. This course was spread through the hospital's SNS and was introduced in the media as a new method of patient support.
Research Activities
For the "Research contributing to the implementation of high-quality appearance care for cancer patients," a comprehensive project to promote cancer control granted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) from 2020 to 2022, we conducted a survey on inhibiting and facilitating factors for introducing appearance care within medical institutions and analyzed factors for the implementation of appearance care. Selected for a Gold Ribbon Research Grant, the interview survey was conducted on "Appearance Care Provided by medical practitioner for Treatment-Related Appearance Changes in Pediatric and AYA Cancer Patients."
Education
The "Education and Training on Appearance Care of Cancer Patients" for medical staff of cancer hub hospitals was resumed for the first time in three years, both basic and advanced in a regular face-to-face session. In addition, lectures and observation guidance were given to our trainees and trainees from outside the hospital, and monthly lectures were given to residents in the Department of Palliative Medicine.
Future Prospects
The "Guidelines for the Development of Cancer Hub Hospitals" issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in August 2022 calls for the provision of information and consultation regarding appearance care. In addition, the "Fourth Basic Plan for the Promotion of Cancer Control" addresses appearance care. We will continue to practice enhanced appearance care based on our research and provide information and training to other medical facilities.
Conference
Sponsor: Appearance Support Center (the NCC Hospital)
Conference Title: Education and Training on Appearance Care of Cancer Patients for Medical Staff: Basic Course
Date: September 19th, 2022
Location: Tokyo
Sponsor: Appearance Support Center (the NCC Hospital)
Conference Title: Education and Training on Appearance Care of Cancer Patients for Medical Staff: Advanced Course
Date: October 22th/23th, 2022
Location: Tokyo
List of papers published in 2022
Journal
1. Sekiguchi K, Sumi M, Saito A, Zenda S, Arahira S, Iino K, Okumura M, Kawai F, Nozawa K. The effectiveness of moisturizer on acute radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan), 30:2-12, 2023
2. Nozawa K, Toma S, Shimizu C. Distress and impacts on daily life from appearance changes due to cancer treatment: A survey of 1,034 patients in Japan. Global health & medicine, 5:54-61, 2023