The report “The social challenge of ovarian cancer” has among its objectives to advance awareness and visibility of ovarian cancer, both at a social and health level, to improve the survival and quality of life of those affected
Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in Spain, where some 3,300 cases are diagnosed annually, of which 58.9 percent die.
The Association of People Affected by Ovarian Cancer (ASACO) and the Fundación Más Que Ideas (MQI) promote the visibility of this tumor and favor reflection at a social and health level, under the initiative “The social challenge of ovarian cancer”.
This document has been prepared by twenty health professionals, patients, relatives of those affected and representatives of associations against ovarian cancer.
Its objective is to focus on making earlier diagnoses and obtaining better results in terms of survival and quality of life for women suffering from this disease.
In addition, they want to promote dialogue around self-care and recognition of gynecological health.
Multidisciplinary approach and sex education
The report sets out four essential priorities:
- Educate society and health groups on the recognition of symptoms
- Facilitate access to specialized surgery and a multidisciplinary approach
- Educate in gynecological, sexual and reproductive health
- Training health professionals in communication
To do this, they propose a series of actions based on awareness and sensitization as fundamental axes of their campaigns.
Both associations detail that 80% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are in advanced stages of the disease.
Although the patients recognize the agility of the process once diagnosed, they believe that the recognition of symptoms should improve.
Six out of 10 affected women state that they have no previous knowledge of the disease, which, added to the non-specificity of the symptoms, makes it difficult to recognize cancer early.
The specialization of the medical team is essential to achieve success in surgery. The document states that the doctor must dedicate at least 50% of his clinical practice to this type of operation.
Ovarian cancer not only has consequences on physical health, but also emotional and social ones. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach to patients and the integration of gynecological oncology is considered key.
In these terms, self-knowledge and knowledge about gynecological health are key factors, according to experts.
Addressing the reproductive and sexual repercussions and achieving the involvement of health personnel can help improve the quality of life of women affected by this cancer.
Finally, the associations express the need to train health personnel in communication to transmit information to patients and families more empathetically and effectively.
Raise awareness and sensitize to save lives
The report It also highlights the importance of raising awareness through raising awareness and attracting the attention of society.
Women in general and also men should know about it in order to be able to transfer this problem to all people and support the women affected.
Experts recommend that information be personalized by age groups based on involvement, empathy, clarity of messages and work with influential people, especially on social networks.
What happens to sexuality with ovarian cancer?
One of the main demands is the treatment of the sexuality of those affected with ovarian cancer. In the report they clarify that attention must be paid to favor a better self-knowledge of the body and know how to deal with sexual problems.
The sexologist, sociologist and health and gender consultant, Irene Coldexplains to EFEsalud that “sexuality must be addressed first from oncology.”
“The professional should ask what life is like for the woman who has just been diagnosed. Ovarian cancer has an unexpected course and is very irruptive in the person’s life cycle. It appears out of nowhere and this at the level of emotional management is very important”, says the specialist.
The sexologist affirms that “health professionals must take the initiative to take sexual function into account and address it directly in consultation”.
Likewise, these doctors must contact sexual health professionals to seek advice and be able to advise the patient.
Psychological treatment has to go hand in hand with treatment of sexuality, according to Aterido: “The pelvic area, where ovarian cancer develops, is a fundamental area for the female and male sexual experience. The communication of bad news is getting better, but sexuality is not yet addressed”.
anticipate to treat
It is recommended that the affected woman be able to ask about the consequences of cancer and treatment, as well as the impact it will have on her sexual life.
“We have to anticipate the questions -he adds- The recently diagnosed does not have to be afraid to ask everything and precisely all the things that scare him. It is important to ask about the consequences at all levels of the organism”.
The sexologist recalls that “sometimes oncology saves your life, but it is important during and see what happens after.”
Issues related to pleasure is another topic that is usually dealt with in sexology in cancer patients.
Irene Aterido recalls that “no cancer treatment will affect the pleasure signals of the central nervous system, so the ability to feel pleasure, love and affection is not lost.”
Communicate the bad news also to the couple
Another important aspect is cancer treatment together with the patient’s sentimental and/or sexual partner.
This expert points out that “there are no general recommendations, but the partner should be included in the communication, if the affected person so wishes.”
“The right to give information about her health belongs to the woman herself and we must attend to the rhythms of diagnosis of grief, as well as consider the stage in which the couple is at the time of diagnosis,” he concludes.
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