Japan's health ministry has lifted restrictions on breast cancer specialists publicizing their expertise, making it easier for patients to locate services.

With the ministerial approval, hospitals and clinics can publish information about their breast cancer wards and specialists in telephone directories or on signs, reported the daily Yomiuri Shimbun Friday.

Until now, there were certain conditions as to how breast cancer specialties and services could be advertised. One of the conditions required specialists to be affiliated with corporate academic societies.

Since the names of departments related to breast cancer treatment were not officially allowed to be publicized, experts in the area generally held consultations in trauma wards, which was confusing for patients, who expected to find such doctors in gynecology departments.