The Japan Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO) has a membership of over 17,000 oncology practitioners, making it Japan’s largest specialist professional association in the field of clinical oncology. The objectives of the JSCO are to enable communication and cooperation in, and the promotion of, research concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as to contribute to the advancement and dissemination of cancer treatments and to help enable the overall advancement of science and the wellbeing of humanity. The coming academic year (FY 2012) marks its 50th anniversary.
The defeat of cancer is the shared ambition of the global community, and its achievement will require the collective effort of all concerned: not only medical professionals but also patients and their families, the general public, legislators, government bodies, and other related professional bodies. The JSCO brings together members involved in every aspect of the clinical treatment and care of cancer patients, and the role and responsibility required of us is truly to play a central part in facing the challenge of cancer. Of course, the JSCO’s activities have improved and expanded year by year, and the Society has been actively involved not only in cutting-edge medical research but also in projects to improve basic facilities for medical practice as well as training and educational activities, including production of Guidelines for Clinical Trials and the Clinical Oncology Research Conflict of Interest Policy, establishment of the Clinical Research Grant Program, being commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to provide the Cancer e-Learning training program for doctors specializing in cancer care, publication of oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines, participation in the education of the General Clinical Oncologist (by Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy), operation of a Data Manager certification system, holding open lectures for the general public and update training courses, and offering support and improvements for cancer patient treatment frameworks. The JSCO Annual Meetings, too, not only focus on academic exchanges and member education, but also emphasize the Patient Advocate Leadership Program, regular international exchanges with international professional associations such as ASCO and ESMO, and providing information for the public such as JSCO recommendations. Held in high regard both in Japan and overseas for its half-century of activities, not only in terms of academic research but also for fulfilling its social responsibility through the provision of intellectual capital, the JSCO is steadily continuing to increase its membership, the number of presentations and participants at its Annual Meetings, and the number of articles submitted to its two journals (in English).
Nevertheless, the rapid changes in the environment for cancer care in Japan mean that further transformation (internationalization, improvement and expansion of educational activities, and reorganization and expansion of the Secretariat) is required.
The globalization of cancer care is advancing at a rapid pace, and we are already reaching the point at which both advanced medical development and everyday medical treatment (production of standard treatments and clinical practice guidelines) will be impossible in the absence of international cooperation. In light of the UN Summit Political Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), the JSCO has declared its intention to strive for improvements in cancer care on the basis of international cooperation, and as one practical measure, has also begun to take steps toward the establishment of a new council to act as an academic center for the development of cancer care in Asia. Today, with the gradual elucidation of ethnic differences in responses to treatment and their underlying genomic (genetic) information, “Asia” will become an important keyword for improving cancer care in Japan in future.
Within Japan, uncertainty and distrust toward cancer care remains deeply rooted among the general public, and this must be resolved as swiftly as possible. Cancer education for the public, so as to achieve “mutual understanding based on shared knowledge and perceptions,” is extremely important. There are still many members of the public who only face up to this condition when they contract it themselves, and “cancer education” before this stage, particularly at the school level, could be the salvation of many people both physically and psychologically. Another social need is for the training of staff who can offer support to patients in choosing a type of treatment with which they can be satisfied. As cancer treatments become increasingly sophisticated and complex, the gap between doctor and patient in terms of knowledge and experience is growing year by year. Without staff capable of accompanying patients and their families and helping to bridge this gap, it is becoming ever more difficult for patients to choose treatments that they may not later regret. I believe that the JSCO must further expand the scope of its educational and awareness-raising activities to become involved in support for education in schools and the training of cancer care coordinators, providing the latest scientific information.
Finally, I would like to touch on the reorganization and expansion of the Secretariat, which supports all these activities. In its current form, it has now reached its limits, and swift action is required. We are currently considering the establishment of a new office in Tokyo, in addition to the existing Kyoto office.
Progress generates new problems. While we continue the long history and tradition of the JSCO and its achievements, together with the projects implemented by my predecessor, Dr. Maehara, as an accessible professional association and one of the leading international society it is also incumbent on us to step up our activities afresh. As the fifth Chief Director of the JSCO, I will devote all my efforts to engaging with these difficult issues. I would like to express my profound hope for further cooperation on the part of both JSCO members and supporters.
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