2024-10-19 02:14:00
She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 77, the treatment went well, and she was safe and sound after her mastectomy. As a good solitary mountaineer, she returned to the mountains and little by little recovered her life. But there was one problem that this patient did not deal with well, it was something apparently secondary: the absence of hair. Her oncologist was surprised and even scolded her when she asked about getting her hair back, claiming it wasn’t important. She replied, “It matters what matters to you.”
It is common that, in the breast cancer process, patients worry about various aspects that may seem secondary, but are not for them: «What can I eat? Can I paint my nails? Can I get a massage? Can I dye my hair? Can I have sexual intercourse? These are just examples of the thousands of questions that are asked in oncology consultations or, worse, that are not asked out of embarrassment and remain in doubt or in a bad consultation on the Internet.
“Beyond the Mirror” is a guide created by Pfizer to provide scientific answers to some of these questions and cover the need for specific treatments and recommendations in patients with breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. «Just because you give importance to the image in these processes does not mean that you are not aware of the importance of the medical process and do not appreciate the treatment. Improving your body helps you feel better, improve your self-esteem, overcome any stigma and this, scientifically proven, helps you overcome the disease,” says Dr. Alejandro Falcón, medical oncologist at the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville , one of the authors of the guide.
“No professional attention had been given before to fields such as dermatology, plastic surgery, sexual health, aesthetic medicine, oral health, gynecology, nutrition and physiotherapy, addressed in collaboration with oncologists and specialists from different fields” , summarizes Dr. Falcón. “The work even ended with the publication of a scientific article in an impactful journal,” he adds.
The authors organized multidisciplinary meetings with specialists in physiotherapy, maxillofacial surgery and dentistry, among others, to offer recommendations based on evidence and clinical experience. The purpose of the guide is not limited to answering aesthetic questions. Crucial topics such as impact of cancer treatment on sexual health and how patients can continue with certain image treatments, from facials to lymphatic massages.
“It is essential to take care of patients’ quality of life and help them maintain an image as faithful as possible to their appearance before treatment,” emphasizes Dr. Alejandro Falcón.
The comprehensive approach proposed in this guide not only benefits patients, but also the professionals who accompany them in their process. Healthcare professionals find in this tool a scientific basis that allows them to respond more accurately to the questions that arise on a daily basis. “What we are looking for is that both patients and the professionals they visit have access to information quickly and easily,” says the oncologist.
The importance of personal image and self-esteem in cancer treatment has traditionally been underestimated. However, there is increasing evidence that the psychological and emotional well-being of patients is a key factor in the success of treatment. “Feeling good about yourself, recognizing yourself in the mirror, seeing that your physical appearance is still intact or that it can be improved helps enormously in this process,” adds Dr. Falcón.
The guide’s title, “Beyond the Mirror,” reflects this holistic view of cancer treatment. It is not just about attacking the disease from a medical point of view, but about accompanying patients throughout their journey, including those aspects that help them maintain their identity and self-esteem. This collective effort aims to generate a positive impact on patients’ lives, promoting a better quality of life and a more global approach. The guide is currently available via a QR code that is provided to patients and professionals, ensuring that everyone has access to this valuable information. It is also available on the web contigoenelcancerdemamametastasico.es.
With the collaboration of Pfizer.
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