Brand Studio for Bristol Myers Squibb
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
each year 130,878 new cases of cancer are diagnosed locally
, a figure that positions Argentina among the countries in the world with a medium-high incidence of cancer.
But beyond the statistics, cancer is a disease that affects not only those who receive the diagnosis, but also family and friends.
When the news comes to stay, a new chapter begins in which you learn at every step, where the importance of support becomes visible.
“For patients, family members are a great support.
We are a wave of emotions and sometimes we need them to accompany us and sometimes not drown us so much.
The advice I would give to those who accompany us is to let it flow, like a river;
accompany and be part of that rhythm that marks life,” says Emilia Triador, a kidney cancer patient.
Every February 4th is World Cancer Day.
From this comprehensive perspective on what it means to Live with Cancer, and with an approach that includes the perspective of patients and their closest circle, for five years, Bristol Myers Squibb and the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC) have carried out this initiative with the objective of providing tools and information, as well as to continue promoting the importance of prevention and timely diagnosis.
Through its website and YouTube and Spotify channels,
Living With Cancer
has become a true reference site, which has more than
65 real testimonies from patients and people connected to the disease, which inspire, move and raise awareness. in society.
The testimonies of family members, friends, health professionals, researchers, and leaders of patient associations also find their place in this ecosystem of voices, which allows us to provide a holistic and real look at what it is like to live with cancer.
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Inspiring testimonials
Leaders of social organizations explain how they transformed what happened to them into capital to help and provide support to other patients;
and health professionals (oncologists, psycho-oncologists and palliative care specialists) report on the scientific advances in treatments that have allowed cancer to become a less stigmatizing disease today, highlighting the importance of prevention and timely diagnosis.
“Each World Cancer Day is a unique opportunity to remind society of the importance of prevention and early detection of this disease, which is one of the diseases that causes the most deaths in the country and in the world.
Initiatives such as Living with Cancer seek not only to accompany patients and their environments, but also to raise awareness about this disease whose risk of contracting it can be reduced by between 30 and 40% by avoiding tobacco (active and passive), increasing fruit consumption. and vegetables, doing regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol and controlling chronic infections,” said Dr.
Diego Kaen
(MP 1898), Head of Research at the Riojano Integral Oncology Center and President of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC).
Stories of resilience: They went through cancer and emerged stronger than ever
Each World Cancer Day is a unique opportunity to remind society of the importance of prevention and early detection of this disease.
Through their stories, patients share how they live with cancer, their feelings, concerns, and offer a hopeful look at a diagnosis, as science advances and there are more and more treatments that allow for a better quality of life and greater survival for those who experience the disease.
“I found out how much I wanted to live after I found out I had cancer.
After cancer, this is the best version of me… I choose to live, I choose to get up and I choose to have life every day,” said Viviana González, a Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patient.
“
Cancer is a disease that society triggers, hides, is afraid of… Being able to talk about it with total normality helps a lot to resist and have the desire and strength to continue fighting
,” said César Etchart, a melanoma patient, in his interview.
Whether through friendship or being part of the family, being close is a true act of love and dedication.
Those who accompany treatments have an essential role in promoting the well-being and quality of life of those who face the challenge of dealing with the disease every day
.
From this premise, relatives of patients talk about how to accompany a person with cancer and the importance of supporting their inner circle.
Cancer patients gave their life testimony.
“When we received the diagnosis it was very terrible for me.
It was very expensive to take on.
And from there I said I have to continue and help him so that he is better.
I knew, although I didn't know how to move forward I... I put myself in the mindset to convince him to never give up.
Because that is my way of always being in every sense.
It was very painful, but I accompanied him,” said Aurea Del Canto, wife of Damián Leone, a lung cancer patient, in her testimony.
“With a focus on patients, at Bristol Myers Squibb, we are confident that first-person stories are a powerful vehicle to help those experiencing the disease and their loved ones.
It is a pride to carry out this initiative together with the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology and provide a positive and encouraging message so that they can find, in each testimony, hope and inspiration to undergo treatments,” said Silvana Kurkdjian, General Manager of Bristol. Myers Squibb Argentina
The 5 fundamental keys to facing life with cancer
Specialists advise always being accompanied because in consultations there is too much information to absorb.
1. Seek containment to get through the disease
It is essential to have psychological support and there are already many health centers that have psycho-oncologists who are specialists in accompanying the entire disease process.
Another possibility is to attend patient associations to be able to talk with those who are in the same situation or have already overcome it.
"The most important thing is that the patient can understand that cancer is a common, very common disease. And that, for that reason, we can all suffer from it
. This disease is not anyone's fault, it should not feel like a war or a battle Simply put, it is another disease that must be experienced, coexisted with and assumed with the consequences it may bring,” explained Doctor Diego Kaen.
2. Prepare for the waiting rooms for consultations and treatments
Each waiting room is unique, but they have in common that they are spaces where all kinds of feelings and concerns arise.
There are patients who take the opportunity to talk with others and there are those who want to remain silent and each one must choose what makes them feel good.
Bringing a book, a cell phone charger, foods allowed in that health center, or a pillow are small things that can help make the space feel more comfortable when you will have to wait there for a long time.
Furthermore, specialists advise always being accompanied because during consultations there is too much information to absorb.
3. The doctor-patient relationship
The relationship between the professional and the patient in a long illness is dynamic and changes over time.
Patience, treatment, the way in which good and bad news are communicated, the explanations provided to the sick person, accompaniment, management of expectations, support for families or couples and help in the Access to treatments will be decisive in defining how the patient will go through their illness.
"The empathy of the professional is essential for the relationship to flow and, when it is not good, it harms both, but above all the patient who may even abandon treatment," said the oncologist.
4. The patient's sexuality during cancer
It is likely that, due to the treatments and changes, desire will be affected and that sexuality will not be the same as what the person was used to.
There will also be those who take a break and have sex for another time.
Losing sexual desire can be a side effect of the diagnosis and many of the treatments.
Therefore, it is logical that the question arises: is there room for sex in the midst of a serious illness?
"Sexuality and oncological pathology is a fundamental topic and should be addressed by the doctor in the consultation because the patient may be afraid or embarrassed to talk about it. This topic should be naturalized in the consultation and ask the patient in a natural way," added Kaen.
5. Financial income during illness
The doctor together with the patient will evaluate how the latter will be able to continue with his work duties during the illness.
This will depend on the characteristics of each cancer, treatments, the particularities of the patient and the specific conditions of each work.
Many patients will continue their work lives almost normally, beyond the days they need to take off to perform treatments.
And others, depending on the type and severity of the illness, will have to take more or less long leaves.
There are also cases that will no longer be able to return to their workplace.
Being able to maintain employment income during cancer will depend a lot on the labor laws of the country of residence, the type of work one does, whether it is a registered or formal or informal job or if one is an independent worker in which if not He works, he doesn't get paid.
Each case is unique, but there are a variety of expenses that may appear such as medical fees, medication, diagnostic studies, rehabilitation, prostheses, transportation to and from health centers, accommodation costs if treated in another city, etc.
Each patient must plan and seek advice to be prepared for these contingencies.
Patient associations can be good allies for advice.
"Economic issues go through the lives of patients. When a person cannot work, it influences the patient and their family, their concerns and doubts about continuing treatments. There are expenses that the systems do not cover, and to that is added the income that is not covered." are received and this generates a lot of stress in the patients," explains the president of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology.
Living with Cancer has the support of the Argentine League to Fight Cancer (LALCEC), which works on the prevention and early detection of cancer;
FUCA, a Foundation that focuses on research, teaching and prevention;
Foundation for Lung Cancer Patients (FPCP);
Bra, which accompanies people with cancer through their treatment;
Tiempo de Vivir, which aims to update, investigate and disseminate all aspects related to cancer;
Argentine Linfomas Civil Association, which assists patients and relatives of patients with lymphoma, myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndromes, Argentine Myeloid Leukemia Association (ALMA) which provides emotional and practical support to patients with this pathology, Argentine Myeloma Foundation, designed to improve quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma, Donde Quiero Estar, which aims to improve the quality of life of people with cancer and their families, humanizing oncological treatment and coordinating with all actors in the health system at the national level;
and Fundación Avón, which aims to defend the rights of women, to take care of their health and physical, social and emotional integrity.
To see the more than 65 testimonies collected over the years of this initiative and obtain more information, you can visit the “Living with Cancer” website and its YouTube or Spotify channels.