April 26, 2010 – The plight of people with cancer and their caregivers must be identified as early as possible to prevent the experience from becoming more trying.
This is what Lise Fillion said1, researcher specializing in psychosocial oncology, within the framework of the National Conference to Conquer Cancer2 recently held in Montreal by the Coalition Priority Cancer.
Healthcare professionals should consider the patient’s psychological state as a vital sign along with pulse, breathing, blood pressure, temperature and pain, she argues.
“Even if we survive cancer today, the announcement of this disease has a connotation of death and it shakes several dimensions of the human being on the emotional, physical, psychological and social levels. Hence the importance of considering all the non-medical problems that a person may experience at the start – and even several times during treatment – in order to facilitate their adaptation to the complexity of the oncology care trajectory. “
These signs of distress are often linked to feelings of sadness, fear and hopelessness which can lead to depression, anxiety and panic. For example, a patient who is worried that they will not be able to be present for their child may not start treatment in good condition. He may have more nausea during his chemotherapy.
“If a person needs help, they should not hesitate to tell the nurse who is handling their file. The latter is called the “pivot nurse”. It is she who provides the link between all the professionals who treat a cancer patient. She will then make a global assessment to highlight the specific needs of the person and then direct them to the resources that can help them, ”says the researcher.
Access to healthcare
For his part, the Dr Gerald Batist3, co-director of the Clinical Oncology Research Consortium, denounced the disparities experienced by patients concerning access to treatments that are sometimes more effective, better targeted or better tolerated, but which are not covered by the public plan or quite simply inaccessible to the Quebec.
“We need better coordination to set treatment protocols that would be the same everywhere in Quebec,” said Dr.r Batist, during his speech at the National Conference to End Cancer.
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Carole Boulé – PasseportSanté.net
1. Lise Fillion, Ph. D., is a full professor in the Faculty of Nursing at Laval University and researcher at the Cancer Research Center of Laval University and at the Research Center of the Center hospitalier universitaire de Québec (CHUQ ) – Hôtel-Dieu de Québec and the Maison Michel-Sarrazin research team.
2. The National Conference to End Cancer was held on April 22 and 23. For more information: www.conferencecancer.com.
3. The Dr Gerald Batist is Director of the Department of Oncology at McGill University and the Segal Cancer Center at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and Quebec Co-Director of the Clinical Oncology Research Consortium.
