Tohoku Cancer Professional Training Promotion Plan (TCPTP) conducted by four neighboring medical universities has been designed to improve the care and research in cancer by training specialists in cancer and supporting cancer researchers. After The Great East Japan Earthquake hit Tohoku area, TCPTP dedicated to rescue cancer patients and to support reconstruction of hospital network and cancer medicine in this area. In this forum, five speakers made suggestions for the role of cancer specialists and health care workers in disaster in future through their experience from The Great East Japan Earthquake.

Dr. Ishii had been working for the Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital, which was the only functional medical facility in this area after Tsunami. He managed 955 relief teams and sent them to the affected area. He provided medical support for 53696 people until the end of September. Additionally, He established ACT (Action Coordination Totality) Institute of Disaster Medicine, which provides educational program in disaster medicine and develops an assessment system of evacuation shelters for next disaster.

Dr. Akahane watched all the medical function of Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital was swept away by the direct Tsumani hit. He dedicated himself for patients in community after disaster. He suggested that medical facilities should not be built near the coast, and important facilities should not be located on the ground floor. He also mentioned importance of cooperation between medical settings.

Dr. Hagiwara, certified radiation oncologist from Yamagata University, and his co-workers immediately started the measurement of space dose rate of radiation and shared information between members in the Northeastern Cancer Network (NECN) through its mailing list. He also supported NECN’s action to send certified radiation oncologists to help the damaged hospitals re-establish cancer treatments as soon as possible.

Ms. Kanno, certified specialist nurse in cancer nursing stated the importance of establishing system to support cancer patients through her qualitative research on the facts and needs of cancer patients in community.

Dr. Ito from the Department of Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology talked about his research on how disaster affected the screening for cervical cancer and their actions to recover its screening rate.