Author of

• 11946

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  P2.24 - Poster Session 2 - Supportive Care (ID 157)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Supportive Care
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/29/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 11961

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    P2.24-015 - The role of WALCE (Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe) in helping patients and their caregivers to cope with cancer. (ID 1119)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): S. Demichelis
    • Abstract

    Background
    The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are traumatic events for patients with cancer and their families. It can be a time of a emotional distress for both and can evoke a wide range of emotions related to poor quality of life. The expression of these feelings is crucial in order to cope with a diagnosis of cancer and with treatment side effects and any action where people perceive that they’re moving those feelings outside may be beneficial to them emotionally and physically. Even patients who receive the best support from family and friends may need to connect with other patients, who are facing the same challenges. Patients may seek emotional and/or practical support from cancer patient organizations and find programs designed with the aim to help them and their families to alleviate the emotional concerns.

    Methods
    During the last five years, WALCE addressed their emotional care needs designing programs to ameliorate the cancer patient quality of life during the treatments. These projects are addressed to caregivers too and are observational studies. - The Look Good ... Feel Better® is active in 25 countries worldwide. WALCE started its collaboration with “La forza e il sorriso – L.G.F.B. Italia” in 2009. From March 2009 to June 2013, 68 make-up workshops were organised at the San Luigi Hospital (Orbassano, Italy) in collaboration with five local cancer centres. 487 ladies attended, guided by 7 voluntary beauticians, with the support of a psycho-oncologist. - Relaxation technique sessions may be helpful to face with stress. They are intended to promote physical, emotional and mental relaxation to get a better recovery of energies. From March 2012 to May 2013, 12 sessions were organised and 28 people attended. - Natural cooking classes are a good opportunity for patients and caregivers to learn that the health is closely related with nutrition and actively get involved during the preparation of food. The natural cuisine plays a key role in healthcare and these lessons provide useful tips for a balanced diet. Participating in these classes can empower people affected by cancer to learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope. - Mindfulness Based Intervention (MBI) based on the assumption that a non-judgmental awareness and acceptance of one’s moment-to-moment experience have an effect on the distressing tendencies to escape from or to over-engage with one’s disturbing feelings, emotions and thoughts. MBI can positively impact on coping strategies and on the adaptation to the disease, by encouraging patients to relate differently to their physical and psychological symptoms.

    Results
    NOT APPLICABLE

    Conclusion
    Cancer patients tend to cope better with the illness and daily-life when self-confidence is regained. The sense of well-being shared in a relaxed atmosphere a acknowledging social, emotional and psychological needs, whilst being amongst other people with the same fears or anxieties, is an incentive to fight against cancer. It is important to know that there are ways to relieve the discomfort of most treatment-related side effects and to prevent them from becoming severe.