Current status of support for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer at designated cancer care hospitals in Japan in2021

Abstract

 Objective : To elucidate the current status of cancer treatment and support services for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer at designated cancer care hospitals (DCCHs) in Japan.

 Methods : We sent a questionnaire to all DCCH directors in Japan and asked about the current activities related to the designation requirements in all fields. We then analyzed items associated with AYA cancer patients care. In addition, we delineated the differential functional roles of DCCH by comparing hospitals also designated as “pediatric cancer hospitals (i.e., pediatric cancer center hospital and their affiliated hospitals)” and “non-pediatric cancer hospitals (i.e., hospitals neither designated or affiliated)”. Moreover, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on AYA patients’ care was also evaluated.

 Results : Among the 451 DCCHs that were contacted, 256 (56.8%) responded to the survey. Prefectural DCCHs and pediatric cancer hospitals treated a larger number of patients and provided more support for AYA cancer patients.

 Conclusion : The current status of AYA patients’ care at each category of DCCHs was comprehensively shown in this study. In the prefectural DCCHs and pediatric cancer hospitals, the number of AYA patients was larger than in other base hospitals. It was found that a more specialized support was needed for the AYA generation.