World Cancer Day: Why is it commemorated on February 4

World Cancer Day: Why is it commemorated on February 4

He World Cancer Day It is commemorated every February 4 since 2000, as an initiative promoted by the International Union against Cancer (UICC). The objective is to raise awareness about cancer, promote their prevention and mobilize actions that address the disease.

From the Argentine Liga to Fight Cancer (Lalcec) they launched a campaign under the motto “Listen to change: for a cancer with less suffering.” It focuses attention on the stories, needs and particularities of cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers.

Cancer in Argentina

“According to data provided by the Global Cancer Observatory for 2022 In our country, more than 129,689 new cases of cancer were detected, a figure that positions Argentina in the 5th incidence in Latin America and summons us to continue working in terms of awareness. “ Dr. Carlos SilvaMedical Director and Coordinator of the Lalcec accompaniment program.

The most common types of cancer are, in women, that of breast, colorectal, cervicouterino and lung. In men, the prostate, colorectal, lung and renal. The professional indicates that “the incidence increases with age, being higher from the age of 65, except in cervical cancer, which mainly affects women between 40 and 69 years.”

Cancer

“A comprehensive approach to patient care that contemplates the physical, psychic, emotional, social and spiritual is essential,” they emphasize.

What remains: early attention

In our country there is a set of resources for diagnosis and treatment, both in basic technology, -Mamographies, tomography, pathological anatomy services -as well as elements of high complexity -molecular diagnosis, high complexity surgery, bone marrow transplantation and liver transplantation , radiotherapy, chemotherapy, among others.

However, “equitable access remains a challenge, affected by social and geographical factors,” adds Silva. ANDThe director details that “it is fundamental” to improve early access to diagnosis and treatment“as well as education, palliative care, comprehensive support for patients and their families and the monitoring of survivors.”

Listen to change, how is the campaign

The listening campaign to change invites you to know stories and one of them is that of Danisa Manjarín, patient in active breast cancer treatment, which was detected in Thailand: “That meant starting a different trip to the planned. I thought I was going to be in Thailand all that year and, from one moment to another, I was in Argentina Operating and soon starting chemotherapy, “said the patient.

“As the treatment happened Seeing me in the mirror was a challenging moment in my life Because it was hard for me to recognize myself. Sometimes understand or know that things are transitory and that you will be one step ahead, It becomes much easier, more bearable, “he concludes.

breast cancer,

While Argentina has great resources, "equitable access remains a challenge," they point out.

While Argentina has great resources, “equitable access remains a challenge,” they point out.

Freepik

For Enrique, relative of metastatic breast cancer patient, the biggest need that they passed was when they learned about his wife’s metastasis: “It was hard to understand where we were standing from that second stage. As a relative I am by his side, I can assume what can happen to her, but then internally what she feels, I can’t know. “

The licensee Fernanda MontañaPsychooncologist and coordinator of the Accompaniment Program for Lalcec patients, explained: “Suffering is an inevitable part of life and a diagnosis of cancer can cause anguish, fear and many questions. Each person reacts uniquely to this reality, which alters their life, their body and their relationships. “

“It is essential to underline the importance of an integral approach to patient care that contemplates the physical, psychic, emotional, social and spiritual. By focusing on these unique experiences, we can contribute to a future with less suffering, highlighting the need to provide a Compassionate and personalized attention, “he synthesized.

Source: Ambito

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