Annual Report 2023
Division of Survivorship Research
Yosuke Uchitomi, Maiko Fujimori, Masako Okamura, Ayumu Matsuoka, Takuhiro Yamaguchi, Tempei Miyaji, Kyoko Obama, Wataru Ishida, Mariko Asai, Yuuki Itani, Kiyomi Tanno, Keihi Lee, Fumiko Kumada, Rumiko Sugihara, Chihiro Unozawa, Ikumi Tanaka, Risa Otoshi, Yuiko Kamo, Takayo Sakiyama, Ryo Yasumaru, Kenichiro Sato, Misaki Ayata, Rina Iwanaga, Hinako Sekihara, Nakae Nakao, Tomomi Akashi, Keiko Ozawa, Yuri Seo, Naho Noguchi, Hiromi Hasegawa, Kuniko Matsuyama, Machiko Ogawa, Tatsuo Akechi, Shinichi Suzuki, Saki Harashima, Ken Kurisu, Miyuki Kurosaki, Tomoe Mashiko, Yuuki Hashimoto, Anri Gen, Midori Kadowaki
Introduction
With the aim of realizing a society in which people can live with cancer, we are conducting research that will contribute to supportive care and survivorship for people living with cancer. We also manage the Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group (J-SUPPORT) and the Survivorship care and Quality of life Research Association (SaQRA) to develop and validate supportive care and survivorship care, which has been studied insufficiently across the world. It is a multicenter research groups that operates in collaboration with experts, who are actively working in Japan or in other countries.
The Team and What We Do
Our division has two teams, i.e. one for own research team and one for clinical research support. We focus on epidemiological, interventional and behavioral, and public health translational research in supportive care and cancer survivorship to enhance symptom relief, survival and psychosocial wellbeing among all persons diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.
Research Activities
1) Development of a support program to promote empathetic communication between physicians and patients/families with rapidly progressing cancer (J-SUPPORT 1704):
A support program to promote advance care planning (ACP) was developed aiming to enable care according to patients' preferences after standard treatment. An RCT was conducted, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in promoting empathetic communication and suggesting preliminary benefits for health outcomes.
2) Descriptive epidemiological study of suicide among cancer patients using the National Cancer Registry (J-SUPPORT 1902):
An observation revealed that patients in the early post-diagnosis period and those with advanced-stage cancer are at higher risk of suicide, with regional variations in risk.
3) Development of a treatment decision support program tailored to the needs of older patients with advanced cancer (J-SUPPORT 2101):
A program was developed that includes support recommendations based on geriatric assessments and communication support for aging-related concerns. An RCT demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in promoting communication regarding aging-related issues.
4) Development of a mobile decision-making intervention program to support advanced cancer patients (J-SUPPORT 2104):
A mobile application was developed to facilitate communication between patients and physicians, including care after standard treatment. An RCT demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in promoting empathetic communication.
5) Development of a communication intervention implementation program at Designated Regional Cancer Centers (N-EQUITY 2401):
A question prompt list (QPL) implementation program was developed, and the protocol for the feasibility trial was reviewed and approved by the N-EQUITY Scientific Advisory Committee.
6) Development of a QPL for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer:
A QPL was developed based on interviews with patients to facilitate communication on generation-specific concerns between AYAs with cancer and healthcare providers.
7) A prospective survey on the suicide-related behaviors among head and neck cancer patients:
The prevalence of suicidal ideation among newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients and associated factors were examined.
8) Development of a psychological distress support program for cancer patients undergoing comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP):
A multicenter prospective survey on the psychological impact of CGP testing on patients is ongoing. Interviews were conducted to develop a distress support program.
9) Creation of the concept of "Maemuki" (forward- looking) for cancer patients and the elderly and development of intervention programs:
The concept and significance of being "Maemuki" when facing difficulties such as cancer or aging were explored. Surveys and physical activity assessments were conducted to develop intervention programs.
10) Development of interventions for primary prevention of social isolation and loneliness in AYAs with cancer:
A prevalence survey of social isolation and loneliness among AYAs with cancer was planned. Intervention programs aimed at preventing isolation and loneliness were developed and clinical studies to evaluate its effectiveness among AYAs with cancer were planned.
11) J-SUPPORT:
As part of infrastructure development and support for clinical trials in supportive care, palliative care, and psychosocial care, 18 research consultations were conducted, and 49 research projects were supported. Two scientific advisory reviews and a symposium on supportive care were held by the PPI.
12) SaQRA:
The PPI provided infrastructure and companion support for clinical research on developing and implementing cancer survivorship care. The Development Priority Map was created and published on the website. An infrastructure to monitor survivorship indicators over time was established, and eight research consultations were conducted, with one study approved and supported by the Scientific Advisory Committee.
Clinical Trials
A randomized controlled trial of a mobile-based empathic communication support program to promote advance care planning discussion between advanced cancer patients and physicians (UMIN000045305)
Randomized controlled trial to develop a program for geriatric assessment and management by mobile applications for elderly patients with advanced and recurrent cancer (UMIN000045428)
Education
Number of participants in behavioral science webinars: 804
Number of participants in survivorship research webinars: 496
Number of participants in behavioral science research meetings: 200
Future Prospects
We will promote behavioral science research for bridging evidence-practice gap in the field of supportive care in cancer and cancer survivorship to contribute to the realization of a society in which people can live better with cancer by collaborating and cooperating with J-SUPPORT and SaQRA.
Conference
Organizer: Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control
Conference Name: Suicide Prevention for Cancer Patients - Open Symposium for Dissemination of Research Results -
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024
Held Online
List of papers published in 2023
Journal
1. Miyawaki R, Oka K, Otsuki A, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Kuchiba A, Fujimori M, Kreps GL, Shimazu T. Trust in Mass Media as Sources of Cancer Information: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan. Journal of health communication, 29:143-154, 2024
2. Momosaka T, Saito J, Otsuki A, Yaguchi-Saito A, Fujimori M, Kuchiba A, Katanoda K, Takaku R, Shimazu T. Associations of individual characteristics and socioeconomic status with heated tobacco product harmfulness perceptions in Japan: A nationwide cross-sectional study (INFORM Study 2020). Journal of epidemiology, 2024
3. Akechi T, Furukawa TA, Noma H, Iwata H, Toyama T, Higaki K, Matsuoka H, Zenda S, Iwatani T, Akahane K, Inoue A, Sagara Y, Uchida M, Imai F, Momino K, Imaizumi G, Yamaguchi T, Mashiko T, Miyaji T, Horikoshi M, Sakurai N, Onishi T, Kanemitsu Y, Murata T, Wanifuchi-Endo Y, Kuroda H, Nishikawa R, Miyashita M, Abe M, Uchitomi Y. Optimizing smartphone psychotherapy for depressive symptoms in patients with cancer: Multiphase optimization strategy using a decentralized multicenter randomized clinical trial (J-SUPPORT 2001 Study). Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 78:353-361, 2024
4. Fujiwara M, Yamada Y, Etoh T, Shimazu T, Kodama M, Yamada N, Asada T, Horii S, Kobayashi T, Hayashi T, Ehara Y, Fukuda K, Harada K, Fujimori M, Odawara M, Takahashi H, Hinotsu S, Nakaya N, Uchitomi Y, Inagaki M. A feasibility study of provider-level implementation strategies to improve access to colorectal cancer screening for patients with schizophrenia: ACCESS2 (N-EQUITY 2104) trial. Implementation science communications, 5:2, 2024
5. Grassi L, Watson M. Core-curriculum in psycho-oncology: Towards the certification of the psycho-oncologist profession. Psycho-oncology, 33:e6285, 2024
6. Goto S, Itani Y, Fujimori M, Okamura M, Obama K, Sato A, Uchitomi Y. Impact of work-related changes on health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, 6:126, 2024
7. Ishikawa H, Ogawa R, Otsuki A, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Kuchiba A, Fujimori M, Fukuda Y, Shimazu T. Effect modification by geographic area on the association between health literacy and self-rated health: a nationwide cross-sectional study in Japan. BMC public health, 23:952, 2023
8. Saito J, Odawara M, Fujimori M, Kuchiba A, Oyamada S, Swe KT, Saito E, Fukai K, Tatemichi M, Nakamura M, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. Interactive assistance via eHealth for small- and medium-sized enterprises' employer and health care manager teams on tobacco control (eSMART-TC): protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid type II trial (N-EQUITY2101/J-SUPPORT2102). Implementation science communications, 4:61, 2023
9. Terada M, Shimazu T, Saito J, Odawara M, Otsuki A, Yaguchi-Saito A, Miyawaki R, Kuchiba A, Ishikawa H, Fujimori M, Kreps GL. Age, gender and socioeconomic disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and knowledge among Japanese adults after a 7-year suspension of proactive recommendation for the HPV vaccine: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Vaccine, 41:7147-7158, 2023
10. Okusaka T, Nakamura M, Yoshida M, Kitano M, Ito Y, Mizuno N, Hanada K, Ozaka M, Morizane C, Takeyama Y. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pancreatic Cancer 2022 from the Japan Pancreas Society: a synopsis. International journal of clinical oncology, 28:493-511, 2023
11. Ogata D, Namikawa K, Nakano E, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Higashi T, Yamazaki N, Kawai A. Epidemiology of skin cancer based on Japan's National Cancer Registry 2016-2017. Cancer science, 114:2986-2992, 2023
12. Hirayama T, Fujimori M, Yanai Y, Ishiki H, Shindo A, Tanaka M, Kobayashi T, Kojima R, Satomi E. Development and evaluation of the feasibility, validity, and reliability of a screening tool for determining distress and supportive care needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer in Japan. Palliative & supportive care, 21:677-687, 2023
13. Uchida M, Furukawa TA, Yamaguchi T, Imai F, Momino K, Katsuki F, Sakurai N, Miyaji T, Horikoshi M, Iwata H, Zenda S, Iwatani T, Ogawa A, Inoue A, Abe M, Toyama T, Uchitomi Y, Matsuoka H, Noma H, Akechi T. Optimization of smartphone psychotherapy for depression and anxiety among patients with cancer using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) framework and decentralized clinical trial system (SMartphone Intervention to LEssen depression/Anxiety and GAIN resilience: SMILE AGAIN project): a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 24:344, 2023
14. Sadahiro R, Hatta K, Yamaguchi T, Masanori E, Matsuda Y, Ogawa A, Iwata Y, Tokoro A, Nakahara R, Hirayama T, Yanai Y, Ogawa Y, Kayano A, Ariyoshi K, Oyamada S, Uchitomi Y, Akechi T, Yamamoto N, Okita N, Yorikane E, Shimada K, Furukawa T, Hashimoto H, Maeda M, Sato T, Sekimoto A, Sasaki C, Saito E, Uezono Y, Matsuoka H. A multi-centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ramelteon for the prevention of postoperative delirium in elderly cancer patients: a study protocol for JORTC-PON2/J-SUPPORT2103/NCCH2103. Japanese journal of clinical oncology, 53:851-857, 2023
15. Nishino M, Fujimori M, Koyama T, Hirata M, Tanabe N, Shimizu T, Yamamoto N, Uchitomi Y. Prevalence of psychological distress, quality of life, and satisfaction among patients and family members following comprehensive genomic profiling testing: Protocol of the Quality of life for Cancer genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (Q-CAT) study. PloS one, 18:e0283968, 2023
16. Matsuoka A, Fujimori M, Koyama T, Sato A, Mori K, Hirata M, Tanabe N, Nakachi K, Kato S, Okamoto H, Ogawa K, Komatsu H, Iwasaku M, Miyaji T, Uchitomi Y. Prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among patients undergoing comprehensive genomic profiling testing: protocol for a multicentre, prospective, observational study. BMJ open, 13:e072472, 2023
17. Akiyama M, Ishida N, Takahashi H, Takahashi M, Otsuki A, Sato Y, Saito J, Yaguchi-Saito A, Fujimori M, Kaji Y, Shimazu T. Screening practices of cancer survivors and individuals whose family or friends had a cancer diagnoses-a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Japan (INFORM Study 2020). Journal of cancer survivorship, 17:663-676, 2023
18. Yamada Y, Fujiwara M, Etoh T, Wada R, Inoue S, Mimaki Y, Kodama M, Yoshimura Y, Horii S, Matsushita T, Fujimori M, Shimazu T, Nakaya N, Hinotsu S, Tabata M, Tamura K, Uchitomi Y, Yamada N, Nagoshi K, Inagaki M. Perceptions toward issues in cancer care for people with mental illness among psychiatric care providers: A questionnaire study. Psycho-oncology, 32:1022-1029, 2023
19. Fujiwara M, Yamada Y, Shimazu T, Nakaya N, Hinotsu S, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Inagaki M. Increasing disparities in cancer screening among people with severe mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schizophrenia research, 258:18-20, 2023
20. Itani Y, Obama K, Fujimori M, Saito J, Uchitomi Y. Cancer treatment-related financial toxicity in Japan: a scoping review. Frontiers in psychology, 14:1205016, 2023
21. Matsuoka A, Mizutani T, Kaji Y, Yaguchi-Saito A, Odawara M, Saito J, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Shimazu T. Barriers and facilitators to implementing geriatric assessment in daily oncology practice in Japan: A qualitative study using an implementation framework. Journal of geriatric oncology, 14:101625, 2023
22. Yoshida S, Shimizu K, Matsui M, Fujimori M, Uchitomi Y, Horibe K. Preferred Communication with Adolescent and Young Adult Patients Receiving Bad News About Cancer. Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, 12:561-568, 2023
23. Okamura M, Fujimori M, Saito E, Osugi Y, Akizuki N, Uchitomi Y. Development of an Online Communication Skills Training Program for Oncologists Working with Adolescents and Young Adults. Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology, 12:433-439, 2023
24. Mori M, Lin CP, Cheng SY, Suh SY, Takenouchi S, Ng R, Chan H, Kim SH, Chen PJ, Yuen KK, Fujimori M, Yamaguchi T, Hamano J, Kizawa Y, Morita T, Martina D. Communication in Cancer Care in Asia: A Narrative Review. JCO global oncology, 9:e2200266, 2023
25. Kamo Y, Fujimori M, Asai M, Oishi T, Mori M, Miyashita M, Morita T, Uchitomi Y. Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-J) for evaluating oncologist consultations. PEC innovation, 2:100166, 2023
26. Asai M, Fujimori M, Kamo Y, Hillen MA, Oishi T, Miyashita M, Mori M, Morita T, Uchitomi Y. Validation of the Japanese version of the full and short form Trust in Oncologist Scale. Palliative & supportive care, 1-8, 2023
27. Kurisu K, Harashima S, Fujimori M, Akechi T, Yoshiuchi K, Uchitomi Y. Regional disparities in suicide among patients with cancer: A nationwide population-based study in Japan. Cancer medicine, 12:20052-20058, 2023
28. Mori M, Lin CP, Cheng SY, Suh SY, Takenouchi S, Ng R, Chan H, Kim SH, Chen PJ, Yuen KK, Fujimori M, Yamaguchi T, Hamano J, Kizawa Y, Morita T, Martina D. Reply to R.V. Patel et al. JCO global oncology, 9:e2300293, 2023