Annual Report 2022
Division of Quality Assurance Programs
Fumihiko Wakao, Hirokazu Takahashi, Yasushi Yatabe, Yoko Nakazawa, Ryoko Machii, Emi Takeuchi, Asao Ogawa, Toshiyuki Minemura, Takashi Hanada, Rie Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Saito, Kazuko Matsuda, Risa Yamazaki, Ritsuko Chinda, Mayumi Kobayashi, Mamiko Maeshima, Kiyomi Iino, Mihoko Ueno, Hiroko Ito, Hiromi Nakamura, Kayo Maeda, Mika Mizumoto
Introduction
This 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 the 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) plans and manages 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
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.
Pathology consultation service
The PCS received requests for a specialist’s second opinion regarding the histopathological diagnosis. Approximately 90 consultants are registered, and many of them are 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 the consultation system. This year, we provided 798 consultations.
Quality assurance (QA) activities in cancer screening
The CSMS collected information related to the implementation of cancer screening and its management situation using Checklists (CLs) as a structure indicator in the quality assurance (QA) in municipalities. The CSMS also evaluated process indicators in all municipalities by prefecture to improve the quality of cancer screening.
Research Activities
The National Mortality follow-back survey
In preparation for conducting the second bereaved family survey, the MSPS reviewed the questionnaire and prepared a pilot survey to evaluate a Good Death in Japan.
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).
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 and provided feedback on these evaluations.
Education
The CCETS provides multidisciplinary training programs for palliative care teams. We conducted 2 trainings to 8 teams for both palliative care and chemotherapy teams. Multidisciplinary training programs are also implemented for community-based palliative care resource optimizers 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
We will consider the logic model for medical support in the 4th Basic Plan for Promoting Cancer Control, which was approved by the Cabinet at the end of FY2022, and promote equalization by managing progress and ensuring a PDCA cycle.
List of papers published in 2022
Journal
1. Naka T, Hashimoto T, Cho H, Tanabe N, Yoshida T, Yatabe Y, Yoshikawa T, Abe S, Sekine S. Sporadic and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis-associated Foveolar-type Adenoma of the Stomach. The American journal of surgical pathology, 47:91-101, 2023
2. Naka T, Hashimoto T, Yoshida T, Yatabe Y, Sekine S. KLF4 c.A1322C Mutation Is a Consistent and Specific Genetic Feature of Raspberry-like Foveolar-type Adenoma of the Stomach. The American journal of surgical pathology, 47:521-523, 2023
3. Kim Y, Ting A, Carver CS, Bahcivan O, Bergerot CD, Csaba D, Estape T, Fujisawa D, Goswami SS, Tak Lam WW, Parvu A, Shim EJ, Serpentini S, Takeuchi E, Wang A. International collaboration for assessing unmet needs of cancer survivors and family caregivers: Lens of healthcare professionals. Psycho-oncology, 32:77-85, 2023
4. Machii R, Takahashi H. Japanese cancer screening programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: Changes in participation between 2017-2020. Cancer epidemiology, 82:102313, 2023
5. Akechi T, Kubota Y, Ohtake Y, Setou N, Fujimori M, Takeuchi E, Kurata A, Okamura M, Hasuo H, Sakamoto R, Miyamoto S, Asai M, Shinozaki K, Onishi H, Shinomiya T, Okuyama T, Sakaguchi Y, Matsuoka H. Clinical practice guidelines for the care of psychologically distressed bereaved families who have lost members to physical illness including cancer. Japanese journal of clinical oncology, 52:650-653, 2022
6. Yamada Y, Fujiwara M, Shimazu T, Etoh T, Kodama M, So R, Matsushita T, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Fujimori M, Takahashi H, Nakaya N, Miyaji T, Hinotsu S, Harada K, Okada H, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Inagaki M. Patients’ acceptability and implementation outcomes of a case management approach to encourage participation in colorectal cancer screening for people with schizophrenia: a qualitative secondary analysis of a mixed-method randomised clinical trial. BMJ open, 12:e060621, 2022
7. Otsuki A, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Odawara M, Fujimori M, Hayakawa M, Katanoda K, Matsuda T, Matsuoka Y J, Takahashi H, Takahashi M, Inoue M, Yoshimi I, Kreps GL, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey on health information access for consumers in Japan: A protocol for the INFORM Study. World Medical & Health Policy, 14:225-275, 2022
8. Takeuchi E, Kato M, Akechi T. Bereavement care provision and its associated factors among nurses in cancer care settings: a cross-sectional study. Supportive care in cancer, 30:7625-7633, 2022
9. Okuyama A, Watabe M, Makoshi R, Takahashi H, Tsukada Y, Higashi T. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of cancer in Japan: analysis of hospital-based cancer registries. Japanese journal of clinical oncology, 52:1215-1224, 2022