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Division of Survivorship Research
The goal of our research is to realize a society in which people can live with cancer. Together with all people affected by cancer, we develop solutions to psychosocial problems, interventions to facilitate shared decision-making,and care that is responsive to their values and preferences, which contribute to improving their health and quality of life.
Activities
■Support life after diagnosis and treatment of cancer
Various issues we face in our daily lives are affected by the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We conduct research and awareness-raising programs on themes related to life in general after patients are diagnosed with cancer, such as human relationships, health development, rehabilitation, school and work, economic issues, life-course issues (e.g., love, marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and nursing care), and existential issues including the meaning of life.
■Guidelines for Supportive, Palliative, and Psycho-Oncology Care
In order to disseminate the evidence based best practices regarding psychological care for patients with cancer and their families, clinical guidelines in accordance with the Minds methodology are developed and published. The research policies and taxonomies in supportive,palliative and psychosocial oncology are also made to standardize scientific methodology.
■Shared decision-making for treatment and care after cancer diagnosis: advanced care planning and survivorship care planning
The support programs are developed for shared decision-making regarding post-standard treatment and care for cancer, organized in line with patients' values and preferences, discussed and shared in advance with caregivers and health care providers, to demonstrate their effectiveness, and to implement it in oncology.
■Suicide prevention for cancer patients
What if I am told I have cancer? Without exception, people become anxious and depressed when they hear that they have cancer. Patients with cancer suffer severe emotional distress that could lead to suicide,and it has been shown worldwide that the suicide rate among cancer patients is higher than in the general population. The descriptive epidemiological studies of suicide among cancer patients in Japan are conducted and a suicide prevention program is developed.
■Establish cancer survivorship care
We have organized the Survivorship and Quality of Life Research Association: SaQRA to promote research and development and its support with Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). We work to visualize development issues based on survivorship care needs in Japan,develop and verify interventions suited to the Japanese climate and system, and disseminate and implement evidence based interventions.