Background: Palliative care has been advocated to be administered in the early phase of cancer treatment. However, little is known concerning the recognition of palliative care in general citizens. We have conducted promotional activities for palliative care as “Nonohana Project” since 2009. The aim of the current study was to investigate the awareness of palliative care in the general public in Okayama Prefecture. Methods: We performed telephone questionnaire survey about palliative care for a total of 600 general citizens aged 20 or over in Okayama Prefecture. This survey was conducted in 2009 and 2010, and we compared those results. Results: Two hundred twenty four people (37.3%) have heard of the phrase “palliative care” in 2009 and 219 people (36.5%) in 2010. The recognition of palliative care stayed at the same level as in the previous fiscal year. In those with a history of cancer of themselves or their family, the recognition was slightly increased (41.6% in 2009 and 43.2% in 2010). There were many people who were interested in palliative care in both 2009 (87.9%) and 2010 (86.3%). Conclusion: Our study indicated that many people still had no idea of palliative care in Okayama Prefecture, despite of our promotion and effort for 1 year. However, many were interested in palliative care, suggesting a need for continuous promotion to increase the understanding of palliative care.

Purpose: It is critical to reduce complications associated with the central venous access port (CV-port) system for patients who were treated with chemotherapy or palliative care. Methods: From October 2006 to December 2011, 68 colon cancer patients who were treated with outpatient chemotherapy via a CV-port in the Center for Clinical Oncology, Okayama University Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Results: CV-port related complications occurred in 20 (29.4%) patients. No blood could be aspirated in 15 patients when treated via a CV-port. Among the patients with no blood aspiration from their CV-port, ten cases had no complications other than failure of blood aspiration, and anticancer agents have been successfully administered. However, the other five patients had their CV-port system replaced due to complications. Subclavian and left side insertions were the risk factors for catheter occlusion or inability to aspirate blood. Conclusion: Medical staffs should be aware that approximately one-third of the cases with no blood aspiration potentially have troubles with their CV-ports that need to be replaced.