Impact of Precision Medicine on Cancer Education in Japanese High Schools: A Questionnaire Survey

Despite being an umbrella concept that considers individual differences in genetics, environment, and lifestyle in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, a clear conceptual definition of precision medicine in cancer education is lacking in Japan. We conducted a questionnaire survey on the current status of cancer precision medicine and teachers' readiness and challenges for its introduction. Of 2000 randomly selected Japanese high schools, 349 schools participated in the survey, from February to March 2024, through teachers in charge of cancer education. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for analysis. Only 6% of the high schools implemented precision medicine education, which was rarer than education on causes and characteristics of adolescent and young adult (AYAs) cancers, familial and hereditary tumors, and cancer treatment in general. Quantitative analysis showed that teachers were generally positive about implementing precision medicine in cancer education, despite qualitative challenges such as lack of instructional skills, difficulties in providing attention to students, and lack of teaching time, student interest, or access to external resources. Despite its limited impact on cancer education in Japan, precision medicine can potentially play an increasingly important role in cancer biology, causation, prevention, screening, and education in AYAs. The study findings provide a rationale for incorporating precision medicine into cancer education in Japan.