Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41733770›Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

Evaluating Japan's cancer control activities: Findings from the third cancer patient experience survey.

Yuichi Ichinose, Tsutomu Toida, Mariko Niino, Ryoko Rikitake, Yoko Yamamoto, Tomone Watanabe, Takafumi Wakita, Takahiro Higashi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yuichi IchinoseDepartment of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1 Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. yichinose@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Tsutomu ToidaFaculty of Economics, Dokkyo University, Gakuen-Cho 1-1 Soka-Shi, Saitama, 340-0042, Japan.
Mariko NiinoInstitute for Cancer Control, Division of Health Services Research, National Cancer Center, Tsukiji 5-1-1 Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Ryoko RikitakeDepartment of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1 Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
Yoko YamamotoInstitute for Cancer Control, Division of Health Services Research, National Cancer Center, Tsukiji 5-1-1 Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Tomone WatanabeInstitute for Cancer Control, Division of Health Services Research, National Cancer Center, Tsukiji 5-1-1 Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Takafumi WakitaFaculty of Sociology, Kansai University, Yamate-Cho 3-3-35 Suita-Shi, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan.
Takahiro HigashiDepartment of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1 Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.

Funding

a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan 202407014A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeIn this study, we assessed patient experiences with cancer care in Japan as part of the national evaluation of the National Cancer Control Plan. We aimed to identify strengths and gaps in cancer care delivery across patient groups, including those with rare cancers and individuals aged < 40 years, to inform future policy development.

methodsWe conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey between December 2023 and March 2024 using a self-administered mail questionnaire. Eligible participants were selected from the national database of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries using a two-stage stratified random sampling method. Among the 32,716 individuals invited, 11,247 eligible responses were analyzed. Sampling weights were applied to ensure national representativeness. Outcomes included overall ratings of care, information provision, access to care, symptom burden, psychosocial support, and socioeconomic issues.

resultsPatients rated the care they received highly (mean score = 8.2/10); however, notable gaps were identified. Only 55.0% of respondents were aware of the Cancer Counseling and Support Centers, and merely 15.4% were informed about peer support. Patients with rare cancers and those aged < 40 years faced delayed diagnosis, greater difficulty accessing care, and heavier psychosocial and financial burdens. Younger patients were more likely to report emotional distress and unmet informational needs regarding work-related issues than older patients.

conclusionCancer care in Japan is generally well-received; however, significant challenges remain, particularly for younger patients and those with rare cancers. Increasing support service awareness and utilization, along with improved access pathways and targeted support for adolescent and young adult patients, are essential to promoting equitable and patient-centered cancer care under the revised Cancer Control Plan.

Indexed as

Health Services AccessibilityNeoplasmsProfessional Practice GapsPsychosocial Support SystemsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAge FactorsCounselingCross-Sectional StudiesDelayed DiagnosisFemaleFinancial StressHumansJapanAYA cancerCancer careHealth services researchPatient experienceRare cancerSurvey

Identifiers

PMID41733770
PMCPMC12932334

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.