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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42467393 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-026-01887-8

Initial activities and prospects of MIRAY1: a youth-driven, society-endorsed initiative to cultivate future breast cancer physicians.

Breast Cancer

Authors: Hiroko Masuda, Takaaki Konishi, Mai Onishi, Aki Ito, Kazunoshin Tachibana, Akari Murakami, Atsushi Fushimi, Ryota Otsubo, Haruru Kotani, Yuri Kimura, Yuka Inoue, Yukinori Ozaki, Kaori Tane, Tsutomu Iwasa, Yuko Takahashi, Yuko Kanemoto, Yurika Iida, Chiaki Kudo, Sayuka Nakayama, Takahiro Suzuki, Midori Morita, Riko Sato, Masafumi Iida, Akihiko Ozaki, Mai Kitazawa, Masafumi Inokuchi, Chikako Yamauchi, Takanobu Ishida, Norikazu Masuda, Masakazu Toi

Affiliations

  • Department of Breast Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery/Clinical Research and Trial Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
  • Division of Health Services Research, Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Akita Red Cross Hospital, 222-1 Saruta-Nawashirosawa, Kamikitate, Akita-shi, Akita, 010-1495, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Center, Ehime University Hospital, 454 Shitsugawa, Toon-shi, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
  • Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.
  • Department of Surgery, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki-shi, 852-8501, Nagasaki, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center, 1-1 Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, 464-8681, Aichi, Japan.
  • Breast Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Hyogo Cancer Center, 13-70 Kitaoji, Akashi, 673-0021, Hyogo, Japan.
  • Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai Nara Hospital, 1248-1 Otoda-cho, Ikoma City, 630-0293, Nara, Japan.
  • Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, 700-8558, Okayama, Japan.
  • Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
  • Department of Surgery, Takaoka City Hospital, 4-1 Takara-machi, Takaoka-shi, 933-8550, Toyama, Japan.
  • Department of Thoracic and Breast Surgery, Akita Kousei Medical Center, 1-1-1 Iijima Nishibukuro, Akita-shi, 011-0948, Akita, Japan.
  • Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Showa Medical University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Hirosaki General Medical Center, 1 Tomino-cho, Hirosaki-shi, 036-8545, Aomori, Japan.
  • Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan.
  • Department of Breast-Thyroid-Endocrine Surgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, 2- 1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba-shi, 305-8576, Ibaraki, Japan.
  • Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
  • Breast and Thyroid Center, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, 57 Kaminodai, Joban-Kamiyunagaya-machi, Iwaki-shi, 972-8322, Fukushima, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Asahi University Hospital, 3-23 Hashimoto-cho, Gifu, 500-8856, Gifu, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Breast Center, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada-machi, Kahoku-shi, 920-0293, Ishikawa, Japan.
  • Department of Radiation Oncology, Shiga General Hospital, 5-4-30 Moriyama, Moriyama-shi, 524-8524, Shiga, Japan.
  • Tohoku Kousai Hospital, 2-3-11, Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-0803, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
  • Department of Breast Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan.

Abstract

Although the incidence of breast cancer is increasing rapidly in Japan, the number of specialized physicians remains insufficient, threatening the sustainability and geographic equity of care delivery. This growing mismatch between clinical demand and workforce capacity reflects not only numerical shortages, but also structural weaknesses in training, retention, and career development pathways. To address these workforce challenges, the Japanese Breast Cancer Society launched the Multi Institutional bReast cAncer Young team No.1 (MIRAY1) as a youth-driven, society-endorsed initiative focused on recruitment, education, and career development of future breast cancer specialists. MIRAY1 employs an innovative matrix structure where members belong to both one of six task groups and one of seven regional divisions. Each task group is designed to address specific challenges identified in the current breast cancer workforce pipeline; for example, limited early exposure, attrition during early and mid-career stages, and declining international mobility. Early activities have demonstrated high engagement among medical students and young physicians through hands-on education, digital communication, and peer-led networking. MIRAY1 represents a potentially sustainable workforce development model not only for Japan but also for other Asian countries facing similar challenges in oncology care.

MeSH

Breast Neoplasms, Neoplasms, Breast, Physicians, Education, Workforce