Background and Context:
It is clear that the prevalence rate of cancer is continuing to increase in Asian countries, which are transitioning to super-aged societies. Changes in the disease structure and the accompanying pressure this places on the healthcare economy is causing changes to people’s lifestyles and social infrastructure and it is also likely to change the way people view disease and illness.
Aim:
We aim to study cancer through a multidisciplinary approach from the perspectives of medicine, pharmacology, economy, anthropology, thanatology and sociology, etc., and share information and engage in discussion. Through these discussions we aim to identify common challenges and points of difference in Asian countries, which will provide a basis for the launch of educational program, known as “Cross-boundary Cancer Studies.”
Strategy/Tactics:
This program is anticipated to be an issue-oriented study program that addresses the individual issue of cancer and presents proposals for social structures of the future.
Programmed/Policy Process:
The University of Tokyo is already engaged in multidisciplinary research and educational programs relating to cancer, as part of a graduate school cross-departmental educational program. The program is designed for students to learn about the social challenge of cancer in multidisciplinary lectures and to discuss how they can contribute to knowledge on the subject of cancer from their various areas of specialty.
We once again intend to benefit from the participation of students and young researchers from various specialist areas as we examine multidisciplinary research on cancer from the perspective of the medical sociology.
Outcomes/What was learned:
The program also provides a forum for discussion among different specialties.
Discussion on the construction of a framework for multidisciplinary research on cancer and the actual implementation of such research will contribute to the development of public policies on cancer .