17 keys to demystifying cancer

08/03/2021 6:00 AM

• Clarín.com

• Good Life

Updated 08/03/2021 6:00 AM

Just as cancer is not a single disease but there are many that are grouped under the same name, each patient who goes through it lives

a personal, unique story

, marked many times by instances and particularities shared on an emotional level: the shock of the diagnosis, the fears, the "why me" question, the concern for the suffering of those around them, the learning.

"Demystify cancer"

, the first book by journalist Daniela Hacker, specialized in access to health issues, addresses the human side of the disease through the testimonies of people who went through it, among which those of the actors Federico stand out. Bal, Gustavo Garzón and Dalia Gutmann;

the doctors Alberto Cormillot and Alejandra Fontao;

of the journalist Patricia Kolesnicov and the politician Iván Petrella, among others.

"This is a disease that crosses different dimensions.

It penetrates emotionally

when the patient does not have emotional support or does not feel content. Also, it affects their economic income and affects their organization and family roles," says Hacker.

"And, at times," he adds, "it separates families when it pushes them to migrate from the peripheries to health centers or from countries without free access to health to others with more democratic access."

Oncologist Matías Chacón, former president of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC), describes the book as "a journey towards the

unscientific perception of cancer

by full-on individuals".

And he maintains that "the narrative oscillates between daily life and the changes generated by the

impact of the disease

and the various moments passed by the interventions and the family, work and social circle.

Likewise, it affirms that "the message that the author constructs during the different testimonies converge in the

concept that life goes on

and cancer is just one more stage in the life of humanity."

Fede Bal shared his story and helped raise awareness about the importance of getting checked.

17 truths about cancer

"Before, cancer was a bad word. Today, it is a common disease because

one in three people have the possibility of having it

. It is a disease that grows as age advances. Cancer grows because of the life expectancy of the population is increasing, "says Chacón in the book, which is free to download.

Demystifying cancer also addresses how scientific-medical advances revolutionized cancer treatment and prognosis, what are the prevention measures, the main risk factors and activities that contribute to well-being.

Given that many

taboos and false beliefs

still weigh on cancer

, the book, which was supported by All.Can Argentina, the Emergencias Foundation and Argentina Pharmexx and with the medical supervision of Julia Ismael, former director of the National Cancer Institute, places special emphasis on these key notions:

• Cancer is a group of diseases under the same name.

Each case is particular

.

•

Prevention is essential

.

Cancer found in the early stages has a better chance of being cured.

• Unless the patient decides otherwise, the diagnosis should be given by the doctor, not a family member.

•

The patient must be informed

, know their rights and decide on their treatments, unless they prefer to delegate it or decide that they do not want to receive information.

Your environment must respect this right.

• Not everything that is published on the internet is tailored to particular cases.

Therefore, you

always have to consult the doctor

.

• Having a serious illness can cause fear, stress, trouble sleeping, and other symptoms.

Having

psychological help

is highly recommended, even once the treatment is finished.

Also, it can be helpful to reach out to patients who have been through the same thing to share their experience.

Patient associations can also provide guidance and emotional support.

•

Sex can be complicated during illness

.

It is important to talk to your doctor or seek psychological help.

• Nurses are

essential supports

for patients during treatment.

• The patient can be accompanied in many ways, so it is always good to ask them what their needs are.

There are those who need affection and companionship, others who require help with

bureaucratic procedures

and medical visits, and also those who need care at home, especially if they have young children.

• Young children perceive that their parents are going through something serious.

Therefore,

hiding the information is not advisable

.

Specialists recommend talking to them and giving them information that, due to their age and characteristics, they can understand.

The close environment often also needs support.

Photo Shutterstock.

• Many times the patient's relatives also

need psychological support

.

• The

bureaucracy to access medication

is an extra job that the patient has.

Having the help of family and friends or the advice of patient associations can be a relief.

The Patient Navigator programs that have many agencies are helpful in trying to get around the bureaucracy.

• The language of war that is used in reference to cancer places the responsibility for the cure on the patient.

• Science advanced and continues to progress.

For this reason, when cancer still cannot be cured, it is sought to

transform it into a chronic disease

and live with it.

In cases where there is no curative treatment, there will always be palliative care to accompany the patient until the end of his life.

• Patients have the

right to receive the treatments

indicated by their doctors, which must be assigned in a timely manner.

• There are activities that can be very positive for the patient during treatment, such as

art, meditation or reflexology

.

• It is important not to put more pressure on the backs of patients with other people's expectations.

Going through cancer does not mean that people have to change or modify their life.

There is no "right" or "wrong" way to get through cancer.

Each one does what they can

.

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