summarise Two Japanese 393 patients were invited to participate in a survey, of which 282 (72%) consented and 263 (67%) returned a completed survey. In an Australian clinic, 512 patients participated. The median age at survey completion was 68 in Australia and 66 in Japan, with a total median of 67. The mean age was 67 in Australia and 64 in Japan, with a total mean of 66. The mean years of school education completed was 11 in Australia and 13 in Japan, with a total mean of 12. The median years of school education completed was 10 in Australia and 12 in Japan, with a total median of 12. The mean time since cancer diagnosis was 11 months in Australia and 15 months in Japan, with a total mean of 13 months. The median time since diagnosis was 6 months in both countries