Cancer Nursing

Developmental research on nursing practices for cancer patients

Faculty details

Research topics in division

We are engaged in research on the symptoms of side effects of chronic diseases, in particular those such as dermatopathy and peripheral neuropathy associated with cancer patients (cancer survivors) undergoing cancer drug therapy. In addition, we carry out research on medication adherence, and in recent years, we have also been conducting studies on frailty in elderly cancer patients. We are also promoting the "Tobacco Zero Mission," an international collaborative research project with the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care and the Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing, as joint researchers. We take advantage of Keio's strength as a comprehensive university to collaborate with researchers in varying specialisms, including those at the Graduate School of Health Management, the School of Medicine, and the Faculty of Science and Technology, and we are engaged in pioneering work that takes into account changes in society and the field of medical care, including a longitudinal study on the gait and falls of local elderly residents, research on the superaged, supercentenarian research, and studies on the use of devices.

Preventing frailty in older adults receiving cancer chemotherapy: development of a harmony care model through longitudinal studies (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B [2019-2022])

Development of a program to prevent and manage targeted therapy-induced dermatological adverse events in oncology patients (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B [2015-2018])

Master's program

Association of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, physical activity and health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients
Employment status of cervical cancer patients--relationship between employment and self-esteem, self-efficacy, and function disorders
Relationship between quality of life (QOL) and frailty in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer when changing anticancer drugs
Interventions and related factors for improving medication adherence in breast cancer patients receiving hormone therapy: systematic review, etc.

Doctoral program

Research on changes to the sense of taste in cancer patients due to chemotherapy

Research keywords
cancer patients, elderly, Quality of Life, self-care, cancer drug therapy, medication adherence, frailty, etc.

Introduction to division

There are two programs in this division: the Master's Thesis Course and the Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS) Program for Cancer Nursing.

1) Master's Thesis Course:

In this course, students will learn about the concepts and theories necessary for specialist cancer nursing. They will also gain an understanding of the characteristics of cancer treatments and nursing as well as those of cancer patients and their families. Using this knowledge, students will explore how these can be applied in practice and research. Furthermore, the ability to contribute to practical development and research is nurtured through analyzing and integrating current circumstances and issues in cancer nursing practice and research, grounded on evidence-based practice.

2) Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS) Program for Cancer Nursing:

In this course, students will learn about the concepts and theories necessary for specialist cancer nursing. They will also gain an understanding of the characteristics of cancer treatments and nursing as well as those of cancer patients and their families. Furthermore, grounded on evidence-based practice, students will analyze various issues in cancer nursing and explore how to apply what they have learned in practice. At the same time, this course aims to train Certified Nurse Specialists who are capable of exhibiting leadership by developing the ability in students to act autonomously and the practical skills to contribute to the roles and functions of Advanced Practice Nurses in cancer nursing.
In this course, Starting in 2023, we are promoting the "Multidisciplinary Human Resource Development Plan for the Next Generation of Cancer Care," offering a master's course: Specialist Nurse Course Supporting Personalized Medicine for Cancer Survivors and a doctoral course: Cancer Life Stage Care Research Course.

In this division, we hold abstract reading sessions mainly for graduate students, alumni, and faculty members of master's and doctoral programs as a place where they can learn from each other as colleagues in their specialized division.

Cancer Nursing and Palliative Care, Chronic Care Nursing Abstracts

Main publications

• Komatsu H, Niimura H, Yagasaki K. Process of inner change in advanced age: a qualitative study of older adults in their early 90 s. BMC geriatric. 2022. 22(1):945.2022. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03665-5.
• Yamamoto S, Arao H, Yagasaki K, Komatsu H. Cancer survivorship care for post-treatment cancer suvivors in Japan: A secondary analysis of a multinational study across Asia-Pacific countries. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2022. 1;9(11):100121. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2022.100121.
• Nakao M, Komatsu H, Hayashida T, Takahashi M, Seki T, Yagasaki K. The relationship between work-related outcomes and symptoms in early breast cancer survivors receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2022. 21;9(3):174-178. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2022.01.003.
• Yagasaki K, Komatsu H, Hamamoto Y. Rediscovering the Joy of Eating in Older Adults With Gastrointestinal Cancer Undergoing Treatment: A Qualitative Study. Cancer Care Research Online. 2(1):e017, 2022.
• Mizuno M, Yagasaki K, Imai Y, Ueta I, Bando T, Takahashi A, Komatsu H, Asanuma C, Sarna L, Wells M, Brook J, Floegel-Shetty A, Bialous S. Impact of a web-based educational program on Japanese nurses tobacco cessation practice and attitudes in oncology settings. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2021. 8. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12733.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Sato Y, et al. Evaluation of the Japanese Version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs Scale. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs, 2020;7(2):167-173. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_49_19.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Oguma Y, et al. The role and attitude of senior leaders in promoting group-based community physical activity: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr, 2020;20(1):380. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01795-2.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Yamaguchi T, Mori A, Kawano H, Minamoto N, Honma O, Tamura K. Effects of a nurse-led medication self-management programme in women with oral treatments for metastatic breast cancer: A mixed-method randomised controlled trial. Eur J Oncol Nurs, 2020;47:101780. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101780.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Komatsu Y, Yamauchi H, Yamauchi T, Shimokawa T, Doorenbos A.Z. Falls and Functional Impairments in Breast Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2019;6(3):253-260. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_7_19.
• Yagasaki K, Takahashi H, Ouchi T, Yamagami J, Hamamoto Y, Amagai M, Komatsu H. Patient voice on management of facial dermatological adverse events with targeted therapies: a qualitative study. J Patient Rep Outcomes, 2019;3(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s41687-019-0116-3.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Yamauchi H. Fertility decision-making under certainty and uncertainty in cancer patients. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2018;15:40-45. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2017.12.002.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Kida H, Eguchi Y, Niimura H. Preparing for a paradigm shift in aging populations: listen to the oldest old. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2018;13(1):1511768. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1511768.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Hamamoto Y, Takebayashi T. Falls and Physical Inactivity in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer and Hand-Foot Syndrome. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs, 2018;5(3):307-313. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_8_18.
• Yagasaki K, Komatsu H, Soejima K, Naoki K, Kawada I, Yasuda H, Hamamoto Y. Targeted Therapy-induced Facial Skin Toxicities: Impact on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs, 2018;5(2):172-177. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_74_17.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Hirata K, Hamamoto Y. Unmet needs of cancer patients with chemotherapy-related hand-foot syndrome and targeted therapy-related hand-foot skin reaction: A qualitative study. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2019;38:65-69. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.12.001.
• Yagasaki K, Komatsu H, Mori A. Nurses' perception of decision-making about cancer treatment and fertility preservation by young breast cancer patients. Japanese Society of Fertility Nursing. 2017;14(1):21-29.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Saito Y, Oguma Y. Regular group exercise contributes to balanced health in older adults in Japan: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr. 2017;17(1):190. doi: 10.1186/s12877-017-0584-3.
• Komatsu H, Yagasaki K, Yamauchi H, Yamauchi T. Patients' Perspectives on Creating a Personal Safety Net During Chemotherapy. Clin J Oncol Nurs, 2016 Feb;20(1):13-6. doi: 10.1188/16.CJON.13-16.
• Yagasaki K. Experience of Medication Adherence in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer Receiving Oral Chemotherapy. Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing. 2016; 30(2):81-89.
• Yagasaki K, Komatsu H, Takahashi T. Inner conflict in patients receiving oral anticancer agents: a qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2015 Apr 14;5(4):e006699. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006699.

Career after degree completion

Faculty member at nursing university, Certified Nurse Specialist in cancer nursing, advancement to doctoral program, etc.

Message

In the division of cancer nursing, graduate students in the Master's Thesis Course and the CNS Program can learn together organically while mutually competing with one another in a friendly manner. We place particular value on laying the foundations of knowledge, techniques, and attitudes through graduate school education, research, and practice, so that students will become researchers or Certified Nurse Specialists in cancer nursing capable of working autonomously. Let's learn together.