Corporate Profile
| Hospital Director | Shinichi Okawa |
| Establishment | April 1963 |
| Location | 〒241-8515 2-3-2 Nakao, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Number of Employees | 794 employees (as of September 1, 2018) |
Hiroto Narimatsu, MD – Profile
Kanagawa Cancer Center
Head of the Genetics Clinic
Director of the Clinical Research Institute
Director of the Department of Cancer Prevention and Informatics
| Qualifications | Clinical Genetic Specialist and Supervisory Physician |
| Certified Medical Oncologist by the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology | |
| Certified Hematologist and Training Supervisor by the Japanese Society of Hematology | |
| Certified General Internal Medicine Specialist by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine |
The Kanagawa Prefectural Cancer Center was established in April 1963 as the Kanagawa Prefectural Adult Disease Center, primarily focusing on treating adult diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. The Kanagawa Prefectural Government formulated the “Kamome Plan” to expand the development of prefectural hospitals, positioning the Adult Disease Center as a central institution for cancer treatment in the prefecture. In April 1986, it was restructured as the Kanagawa Prefectural Cancer Center (hereinafter referred to as KCCH) and began conducting cancer diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment.
Additionally, a Clinical Research Institute was established to conduct research directly linked to clinical practice, including the development of diagnostic methods and treatments for cancer, in close collaboration with clinical departments while also conducting basic research on the causes of cancer.
Genetic Counseling and Issues
Cancer is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors can be understood as “inherited genetic damage,” while environmental factors refer to “genetic damage acquired after birth.” If an individual possesses genetic damage that is critical to cancer development, they may be predisposed to developing cancer, a condition known as hereditary cancer, which can be diagnosed through genetic testing.
This not only affects the individual but also involves health management for family members, such as parents, children, and siblings. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with specialists in genetic medicine. At KCCH (Kanagawa Cancer Center), genetic counseling is available through the Department of Genetic Medicine. However, the limited number of specialists in Japan who handle hereditary cancers poses a challenge, indicating that genetic counseling services are not yet sufficiently accessible.
Role of Certified Genetic Counselors
Certified genetic counselors are professionals who receive their certification after completing a two-year graduate training program in genetic counseling and passing a certification exam conducted by a relevant society. They provide essential genetic information, including appropriate support systems and psychological and social assistance, to patients and families in need of genetic healthcare. Their role is to empower individuals to make autonomous decisions through comprehensive support.
Certified genetic counselors maintain a clear distinction from those who provide medical technology and research, as they assist patients from an independent standpoint. However, there are only about 250 certified genetic counselors in Japan, resulting in a significant shortage of professionals in this field.
Can AI Support Genetic Counselors?
As mentioned earlier, the current situation limits the number of patients and their families that certified genetic counselors can cover. To address this, Dr. Narimatsu and the kcch genetic counseling team have launched a new research initiative. “We believed that utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) could be useful to accurately gather information from a vast number of cancer patients and identify those who need genetic counseling. For several years, we have been collecting information on various AI technologies. However, while many AIs held great promise, it was challenging to find one that could be practically applied in our operations,” said Dr. Narimatsu.
kcch Genetic Counseling Team
Experiencing AI led to collaborative research with AIT.
“Amidst this, I had a completely different impression of AI. While many seminars are lecture-only, the seminar hosted by AIT Corporation provided an opportunity to actually experience AI. Through this experience, I felt that it could potentially be implemented in genetic counseling services, leading to the start of our collaborative research with AIT. The smooth progress of this research project was largely attributed to AIT’s expertise in design thinking and artificial intelligence (AI). I am very grateful for their excellent support.” (Dr. Narimatsu)
“The Bridge Between Genetics and Medicine that Genetic Counselors Provide”
“I want to contribute to cancer care by providing genetic counseling to more patients. Our aim is to enhance the quality of the AI-based system we’ve developed with AIT and implement it in the field of genetic counseling. We are also considering expanding the application of AI and its use in other medical facilities.” (Dr. Narimatsu)
“Anyone can develop a hereditary condition, not just those with cancer. We want people to know that there is a place for ‘genetic counseling’ where they can seek help. We hope to be approachable genetic counselors who can provide support in a friendly and accessible manner.” (Mr. Hada and Mr. Sato)
The kcch Genetic Counseling Team aims to provide supportive genetic counseling and cutting-edge genetic services to cancer patients and their families. The challenge of integrating AI into genetic healthcare has only just begun. The field eagerly anticipates the application of genetic counselors who bridge “genetics and medicine” along with the support of AI in practice.
“I want to be a familiar presence for patients and their families,”
says certified genetic counselor Eriko Hada (left) and An Sato (right).
*Interview conducted in December 2018.