Fictional stories helping you overcome cancer diagnosis and treatment
Describing cancer as an internal enemy is supported by science. The disease natural history starts with subtle changes in the DNA. This is a recurrent and continuous process, leading to an accumulation of structural damages throughout one’s life. Fortunately, the DNA molecule has repair mechanisms that mitigate those damages, thereby maintaining health. However, these mechanisms may be limited by aging, which increases the susceptibility to cancer. A healthy lifestyle is the most important protective factor. Prevention relies primarily on education and risk factor modification. Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, physicochemical stressors and certain viral diseases, directly or indirectly damage DNA and should be avoided. Regular and evidence-based screening tests/procedures may lead to early diagnosis, which in turn may increase one’s chances of cure by available interventions. Many of these recommendations will be discussed and illustrated throughout the clinical vignettes, which will cover the most frequent types of cancer.
Each one of the vignettes will address both the physical and emotional challenges faced by those battling cancer. The methodology will be inclusive, and patient-centered. The physician will be the storyteller, alternating technical information and empathy, aiming to build a strong and personalized relationship with each patient.
The narrative of each short story will reflect the emotional flow, following a stepwise, problem-solving approach. Supported by a personalized psychological framework, clinical simulations will inspirethe patient to build essential attitudes while acquiring the most important skills to better cope with cancer.
We are looking forward to your participation on this new biopsychosocial project - get ready!
® Copywrite 2019 Anticancerweb
James Fleck, MD, PhD: Full Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil 2019
Joao A. de Andrade, MD: Professor of Medicine and Chief Medical Officer, Vanderbilt Lung Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN – USA 2019 (Associate Editor)
Not generalizing, but when we are young we do not usually think about possible diseases that can affect us throughout life, such as cancer. I mention cancer as a very feared disease, due to the degree of malignancy that it can have, and in some cases even incurable. However, if we always remember that having a healthy lifestyle is the main protective factor, perhaps we would prioritize a diet with a high intake of fruits and vegetables, avoid or reduce alcohol consumption, avoid physical inactivity, doing some physical activity and lastly, but extremely important, we would avoid smoking. In summary, we would try to prevent cancer by modifying and avoiding risk factors.
Cancer is an awful disease. The patient who one day receives this diagnosis can be on denial, scaping from his reality. This happens because of the popular imaginary that still thinks cancer is a "death sentence". However, science, nowadays, brings a new era of trials with new treatments and early diagnosis, which certainly increases odds of cure and offers improved quality of life. These fictional stories will help me to deal with diferent patients that one day I will attend to.
Understanding different possible scenarios when dealing with an unpredictable disease such as cancer is certainly helpful in order to build a wide range of insights on how to manage and empathize with a variety of cases. For that matter, the narratives may work as a great tool to help developing understanding of multiple reactions to the so feared diagnosis, as well as the possible strategies to help create response mechanisms, adopting protective mechanisms and strengthening the existing ones.
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