INTEC psychologists highlight the importance of psychological treatment for cancer patients.

During the IV Latin American Congress of Women Leaders in Oncology, clinical psychologists and university professors Maricecili Mora and Patricia Liranzo addressed psychological intervention as a determining factor for patients to better cope with cancer.

SANTO DOMINGO.- Cancer is a vital event of great significance that causes un strong emotional impact and wide social impact In those who suffer from it, there lies the importance of the psychological approach during treatment, as evidenced Maricecili Mora, clinical and health psychologist, and Patricia Liranzo, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), who participated in the IV Latin American Congress of Women Leaders in Oncology.

The congress, which brought together hundreds of oncology health professionals, was organized by the Latin American Medical Association of Women Leaders in Oncology (ALAMO) aims to promote female leadership in oncology and camaraderie among women healthcare professionals globally through joint activities, role models, and networking opportunities.

During the event, INTEC specialists gave two presentations highlighting the importance of psycho-oncology, a subspecialty of oncology that addresses the emotional responses of patients at all stages of the disease, their families, and the healthcare staff who care for them with a psychosocial approach, especially after diagnosis. 

“The psycho-oncologist is considered when the diagnosis is made, but we have to be there when the treatments begin, the consequences of the treatments, when the checkups begin… and even when the patient has been discharged and is supposed to have crossed the red line,” Mora said.

Mora explained that psycho-oncology aims to incorporate a rehabilitative approach toward the patient's full recovery, and addresses psychological, social, spiritual, and existential dimensions.

INTEC teachers explained that psychological support is also important to prevent psychological distress, a set of psychological symptoms that can occur in cancer patients such as sadness, fear, depression, social isolation, anxiety, among others.

"If not detected early, it can lead to poor adherence to treatment, poor satisfaction with healthcare, and poor quality of life," he said. He also highlighted the the importance of collaboration between family members and the healthcare team so that psychological work has a positive effect on the patient's quality of life. 

Findings from the study on palliative care for cancer patients in Santo Domingo

The second presentation, given by Liranzo, was based on the findings of the Arima team's research, comprised of professors from the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities. The aim of the presentation was to describe interdisciplinary interventions in palliative care for cancer patients in Santo Domingo.

The sample consisted of 57 terminally ill cancer patients, including 29 women and 28 men, ranging in age from 8 to 91. This number is included in a total of 121 interviewees, divided into three categories: patients, caregivers, and healthcare personnel from five health centers in Santo Domingo.

Based on the results of the investigation, Liranzo demonstrated in Congress that the country lacks a regulatory framework for palliative care practices that guarantees access to them, nor does it have specialties that train professionals in this branch of health care that provides care to people with serious illnesses.

“Palliative care offers a support system for patients, caregivers, and families,” Liranzo explained, referring to its importance in a country where, according to data presented by the Rosa Emilia Sánchez Pérez de Tavares National Cancer Institute (INCART), 19,816 new cases were diagnosed and 12,107 deaths from this disease occurred in 2020.

According to the research, the services of the included health centers were positively rated by patients and caregivers, "but in terms of interdisciplinarity, more can be done." The specialists recommended that health professionals and other stakeholders in palliative care "make a joint effort to initiate and maintain a line of communication to define the appropriate treatment courses for each case."

Considering that there is no protocol or regulatory framework for palliative care practices in the Dominican Republic, the research team recognized the valuable work carried out by health centers that, to the best of their ability, provide relief to those in need.

Therefore, Liranzo explained that "these services must be formally introduced into the National Health Service, as it is vital that resources be allocated to ensuring that people not only live with quality, but also die with dignity."

Program of the IV Latin American Congress of Women Leaders in Oncology

The INTEC-supported conference program was held at a hotel in the capital, with symposia held at parallel times. The modules were divided into Hematology: Horizons in Multiple Myeloma; Urinary Oncology; Advances and Debates in Breast Cancer Treatment: Controversies and Personalized Strategies; Gynecological Oncology: Innovation and Precision; and Lung Cancer: Innovative Strategies and Comprehensive Cancer Management, a module in which INTEC faculty participated.

Keynote presentations were also given on the topic "Women in Oncology in Latin America: Realities, Challenges, and Opportunities for Change."