Cancer Information and Support Centers (CISCs) exist in all designated cancer hospitals in Japan to provide cancer information and other related support not only to hospital patients but also community residents; this means that CISCs have a different focus and function than hospitals, a point that has not yet received adequate consideration.
This study considers interview data from 18 CISCs in Japan and examines (1) how they disseminate knowledge of their activity inside and outside their hospital, and (2) whether these activities increase awareness and use.
The results show that (1) awareness of CISCs among hospital staff and the existence of established channels for referral of clients were essential for improved universal access to CISCs, (2) whether awareness work outside the hospital would increase the number of users or not was unclear, but some CISCs staff subjectively assessed promotion through community media as effective.
In conclusion, in addition to the areas considered above, sharing good practice and building networks to exchange ideas are important and will help and encourage CISC activities.

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