MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid, in collaboration with the patients’ association EuropaColon Spain, organizes next Wednesday, March 20, at 16.00, the conference "Encounters with patients: colon and rectal cancer" in the hospital library. The objective of this informative talk, organized by Dr. Jose Maria Vieitez, head of the Digestive Tumor Section of the Medical Oncology Service at MD Anderson Madrid, is to highlight the importance of prevention through the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits and raise awareness about the early detection of colon cancer through the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). In addition, patients and their families will hear about attitudes recommended to improve their progress once the disease is detected: esthetic care, ostomy care and management, social relations, food, etc.
The talk, lasting an hour and a half, will be divided into four parts. Emilio Iglesia Castro, member of the Board of Directors of EuropaColon España, will carry out the introduction of the event. Secondly, Dr. Vieitez will talk about the approach to the disease. Next, Pedro Robledo, of the Nutritional and Dietary Support Unit, will explain the need to follow good nutritious diet as a weapon of prevention. Then, Ana Garnica, stoma nurse, will explain how to live with an ostomy and, finally, Patricia Pradera, a psycho-oncologist, will focus on the emotional impact suffered by patients who have undergone an ostomy.
This meeting gives the starting signal to an initiative launched by both entities: the "Encounters with patients" conferences, a series of periodic informative talks given by different MD Anderson Madrid professionals together with members of the EuropaColon association and aimed at both cancer patients and their relatives, as well as the general public which will take place in different parts of the city. The conference will deal with different topics related to colon cancer, ranging from its prevention, approach, dietary recommendations and psychological aspects, to fashion, social habits and taboos of the disease.