The news of cancer is always a painful ordeal, regardless of the person. Reducing this pain as much as possible is the role of doctors who follow a very specific protocol. For Guérétois gynecologist Michel Capella, the moment of revelation is an integral part of recovery.
Each year, Operation Pink October raises awareness of breast cancer, which is most common in women (about 33% of cancer cases are female). Let us remember that there are many people who one day see themselves facing the shock of advertising. Between fear, anxiety, anger and sadness, but also denial or feelings of injustice, receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer is a very upsetting experience even though the reporting system has evolved significantly since the 2003-2007 Cancer Plan.
“We have set up a notification system,” explains gynecologist Michele Capella. Because patients always take a hit from the bamboo on the day of the announcement. That same evening, they forgot everything we could tell them. We must repeat what was said the next day or the day after that. This can be done with a nurse for example. »
Explain the treatment
During this consultation, the doctor takes the time to explain the peculiarities of the cancer and prescribe treatments chosen by a previously assembled team of specialists. In fact, the Cancer Plan stipulates that a multidisciplinary consultation meeting (RCP) is held every week in order to suggest the most appropriate anti-cancer treatment for each patient. This RCP brings together at least three cancer specialists related to the patient.
“When I tell someone about cancer, I touch on the cell types so people understand that there can also be very good prognoses,” explains Guérétois' doctor. When we make this announcement, we always talk about the therapeutic process behind it. Advertising is 50% of the treatment. Depending on how the disease is introduced, this is what will determine the rest of the treatment. People must be able to accept treatment. »
The Sainte-Feyre library takes on the colors of Pink October
Long wait before that
However, if the announcement is made during a scheduled consultation, the wait between the first symptoms and confirmation of the diagnosis may be very long. “In general, it starts with a lump that a woman finds in her breast,” Michel Capella explains. We do not immediately say that it is breast cancer. He explained that there are anomalies that require verification. Because you should know that only one in five lumps is cancerous. »
A biopsy is then performed of the detected abnormality, the results of which are returned within approximately 10 days. If the tumor is malignant, the patient should be identified as having a long-term condition (ALD) before the RCP meeting in order to provide her with the best treatment. All of these steps can be long. “There are always delays between each stage which may worry patients a little,” agrees the caregiver, who is also the founder of the Rose en Marche association.
Fear of the word cancer in society
If this announcement scheme was intended to be the most transparent to the patient since the cancer plan initiated by Jacques Chirac at the time, the moment of the announcement will always come as a shock. This is, in particular, due to society's biased relationship with cancer. “The problem is that cancer is a general word that scares people,” agrees Michel Capella. There is always the specter of death. If we tell someone that their sugar level is a little high, it is called diabetes. Diabetes kills as much as cancer. It is the culture of cancer that needs to be reviewed. While breast cancer in most cases, we remove the mass and it is resolved. »
Breast cancer disrupts the lives of many women every year. Support is necessary to overcome this ordeal. There are many associations or support groups that allow you to share your experiences and benefit from the support of others. “Because cancer is also a social disease,” says gynecologist Michele Capella.
Vincent Faure
