Living with Disease. Living with Hope. Photography Exhibition

Toru Kishida, President of NPO Cancer Note

I was diagnosed with a rare cancer called embryonal carcinoma when I was 25 and 27 years old. I was treated with anticancer drugs and surgery, and am currently under observation. Of course, I was worried about what would happen to me when I had the first recurrence, but I was even more worried when I had a recurrence. Because I thought "recurrence = treatment options are gradually decreasing. Fortunately, in my case, the next treatment option was available, but for some rare cancers, no treatment options have yet been found. For rare cancers, the number of patients is small and there are not many clinical trials for drug development. However, I hope that new drugs and treatments will be found as soon as possible. We sincerely hope that the world will become a place where people can be treated for any type of cancer and live with peace of mind.

Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology, Department of Advanced Medical Development, Cancer Institute Hospital, Ariake, Japan
Takahiro Furukawa

We are working with passionate enthusiasm to introduce new cancer treatment developments. And we want patients to have hope. Together with our colleagues, we face the challenges of international new drug development and look forward to the moment when unapproved therapies see the light of day, spreading awareness about drug lag and drug loss, and striving to make more effective medical care a reality. We will do everything in our power to listen to patients and health care providers, move forward toward future cures, and build a healthier society through hope, collaboration, and awareness.

Japan Society of Clinical Oncology Affiliation Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital Oncology Pharmacist
Ms. Aimi Goto

My dream is "that cancer patients will be able to lead rich and wonderful lives." I want them to cherish the fact that even if they have cancer, they can live and have a wonderful life as before, instead of suffering from side effects while undergoing treatment. We, medical professionals, will be there to support patients in their lives. For this purpose, We need excellent drugs and a variety of treatment options... We want new drugs to reach patients more quickly and fairly...

Japan Society for Cancer Therapy Affiliation National Cancer Center Hospital East
Miki Kondo

Some patients participate in clinical trials with the hope that they will be able to use the drug when their grandchildren are old enough to be treated. Some patients participate in clinical trials with the hope that they will be able to use the drug when their grandchildren are old enough to be treated. We, as medical professionals, must create as many treatments and drugs as possible as quickly as possible, not only for the present, but also for the future. It is we nurses who will ultimately administer drugs to patients. As nurses, we would like to fulfill our responsibility to lead to future treatments and drug discovery by safely delivering drugs to patients who will receive them, whether they are approved drugs or unapproved drugs such as those in clinical trials.

Affiliated with Japanese Cancer Association University of Tsukuba, Division of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Department of Hematology
Ms. Mamiko Sakata

In the field of hematopoietic tumors, in the mid-2000s, molecularly targeted drugs targeting genomic abnormalities that are unique to chronic myeloid leukemia were commercialized ahead of other cancers. The newly developed molecular-targeted drugs were dramatically more effective and had fewer side effects than previous therapies, and as a new doctor at the time, I was greatly impressed by how medical advances could make such a difference in patients' lives and livelihood. Currently, in the field of hematopoietic oncology, together with many colleagues involved in cancer treatment and research, and with the cooperation of patients, I am accumulating efforts toward the realization and spread of cancer genome medicine. I am committed to working together with all of you so that one day each patient will be able to receive the best treatment suited to the nature and constitution of his or her cancer.

Director, CancerX, a general incorporated association Certified Genetic Counselor
Ms. Mie Suzuki

I am a certified genetic counselor. I am also a family member of a cancer survivor. Through my daily clinical practice and CancerX activities, I try to be close to the "why? The reason for the disease, what will happen in the future, and whether my cancer is hereditary or not. We also consider the question of heredity with them, such as whether their cancer is hereditary, and what if it affects their children or grandchildren. Cancer genome medicine and genetic testing may reveal some of the answers. Beyond that, however, treatment and prevention options are far from sufficient. Nevertheless, we will continue our daily efforts to provide as many options as possible in the future, and to support the ability to choose them. Support and medical care deeply rooted in the story of each of you.

Co-Chairperson, Certified NPO Maggie's Tokyo
Miho Suzuki

In 2008, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my eyes went dark. I cannot thank my family, friends, and medical professionals enough for all their support. I also received the full course of standard treatment at the time, and in particular, I was allowed to use a molecular-targeted drug that had just been approved in Japan. Fifteen years have passed since then. I feel that the system to support people living with the disease and medical care are evolving day by day. We are not alone. I hope that our society will become a place where people can live with hope, no matter what kind of disease they have.

Member of Japanese Cancer Association Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital
Kuniko Kadonami

With the development of cancer research, many cancer-causing genetic abnormalities have been discovered and treatments for them are being developed. At the same time, testing methods for detecting genetic abnormalities in cancer have also evolved. Research continues to be conducted daily on testing methods that are less burdensome for patients and that provide more information. Although medical professionals involved in research and testing do not have many opportunities to meet patients directly, they are all involved in cancer treatment with the hope that more patients, including myself, will receive treatment methods that are tailored to their cancer gene abnormalities.

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Osaka University, Japan Affiliation with Japanese Cancer Association
Takeshi Takahashi

I am mainly in charge of surgery and chemotherapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which is a rare cancer. We are committed to providing accurate information to patients and to providing medical care that is attuned to the wishes of each patient. The drug lag that currently exists in the treatment of GIST between Japan and other countries is a serious problem. I would like to make every effort to provide more hope to patients.

Organizational Development Consultant, Author
Ms. Mai Teshigawara

We don't know what the future holds. It is uncertain and uncertain, and that is why it is worth living. Rather than the days when I was chasing after easy-to-understand "happiness" and running away from "unhappiness," I love to die now that I am forced to face life and death, and myself, whether I want to or not.

Company employee
Ms. Tezuka

At the beginning of this year, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at a large hospital, which was not resectable, and the only treatment was chemotherapy. At the end of May, the anti-cancer drug stopped working, and at the end of June, a new anti-cancer drug was introduced. There are only two types of anti-cancer agents that are said to be effective for pancreatic cancer, and my doctor told me that the second anti-cancer agent would be effective for six months to one year. Fortunately, the anti-cancer drug was effective and we decided to proceed to conversion surgery. It seems that there are more types of anti-cancer drugs that can be used for pancreatic cancer in Europe and the United States, and I hope that they will become available in Japan in the future. Above all, I hope that cancer will become a curable disease as soon as possible.

Affiliated with Japan Society of Clinical Oncology Shizuoka Cancer Center Women's Internal Medicine
Ms. Nahomi Tokudome

There are good times and bad times in the lives of many people. If we continue to do what we can do, day in and day out, the world may suddenly open up to us. I hope that new medicines and technologies created by scientific progress will expand the world of my patients. May they weave time together. May I be able to help those who are in a position to support them with their own thoughts and feelings. This is my motivation.

Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Plus Care / Doctor
Tomohiro Nishi

Cancer is said to be a disease of isolation. You become ill, lose your job and money, your friends leave you, your relationship with your family becomes strained.... You are the only one suffering. I have met many patients who feel that way. As a palliative care physician, I work to alleviate not only physical pain, but also mental and social suffering. I want to create a town where people can live with peace of mind and laughter, and not feel alone even if they are ill. That is my wish.

Co-founder and co-chairperson of CancerX General Incorporated Association
Ms. Erina Hanzawa

CancerX aims to create a society where people do not feel upset when they are told they have cancer, and its members include cancer survivors, medical professionals, care givers, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and creators. We are systematically organizing medical and social issues related to cancer, and are working to solve them through dialogues that transcend positions. As a leader of this organization, I value "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion" and "Open Resource Development". I believe that both of these elements are strongly needed in this era, and are especially important in the world of healthcare.

Representative Director, encyclo Inc.
Ms. Yuko Mizuta

When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer 11 years ago and underwent anti-cancer drug treatment, I was surprised in a good way that some days I could lead a normal daily life, contrary to my prior image. I later learned through getting to know many fellow survivors that at one point in time, a good antiemetic became available and I was the beneficiary of it. one treatment, one medication, one care product can make a huge difference in the quality of your recuperation life. Realizing this, I wanted to be a part of making a difference, so I launched a brand for cancer survivors. I sincerely hope that we can all reach the day when cancer can be cured or prevented, and when we can live with peace of mind even if we do have cancer.

Member of the Japanese Association for Cancer Therapy Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Hospital
Mitsuru Miyaji

I specialize in the treatment of pediatric cancer, especially rhabdomyosarcoma. It is important for pediatric cancer patients to be cured of the disease and to live a long life with few complications after being cured. However, childhood cancer is a rare disease, and drug development is lagging behind, so drugs that are useful for treatment and prevention of complications used overseas are not yet available in Japan. The development of treatments for childhood cancer requires money and time. The clinical trial we conducted also required time for enrollment, and during that time, the operating costs ran out and we were unable to fully evaluate and deliver the new treatment to patients. Society's understanding of pediatric cancer treatment development is not sufficient, and the necessary financial resources are chronically inadequate. We ask that you understand the current situation of pediatric cancer treatment development and support it with your donations.

Company Director
Mr. Kazumoto Miyajima

I was diagnosed with tongue cancer, which recurred six months later. This changed my mind from anxious feelings of wanting to escape to a determination to overcome cancer. As I am involved in communication services for the elderly, it was also a prank of fate that I suffered from oral function disease. My determination to contribute to the aging society also became even stronger. In order to face cancer, I also researched cancer treatment in Japan. There, I saw that "world-standard drugs are not being applied for," "clinical trials are not being conducted in Japan," and "clinical trials take a long time. There must be something that patients can do and that I can do to address these problems. In the future, I hope that ICT technology will speed up the development of new drugs and clinical trials, and eliminate regional disparities in diagnosis and treatment. After overcoming cancer, I want to get back to my daily life and provide family services.

Founder and sponsor of Dakarakoso Create / Owner of Karakuri Lab.
Mr. Yuichiro Tanijima

Eleven years ago, I became a father. And then I got cancer. A reality that cannot be cured. Life no longer going the way I wanted it to. I was almost controlled by anger and frustration. I wanted hope. Rare cancers are difficult to develop new treatments for. Such encouragement was nothing more than a comforting reminder that new treatments would be developed someday if I kept on trying. In recent years, however, cancer treatment, including genomic medicine, has progressed at an accelerated pace. The comforting words have turned into hope. However, the threads that lead to hope are still thin and few. In an age when one in two people is diagnosed with cancer, everyone must weave together the thread of hope as if it were their own, regardless of their position in society. I never wanted to have cancer. But I want to live a life in which I can be happy with my life, including the fact that I have cancer. I would be happy if I could work with everyone to create a society in which everyone can live that way.