18 October 2007
Bilbao Campus
On 18 October, and following the opening ceremony, the University brought together leading experts in the field of Psycho-oncology to take part in this congress entitled 'El cáncer y la palabra', which will include round tables, symposia, lectures, workshops, paper and poster presentations. The aim of this congress is to examine current research trends such as interdisciplinary practice, genetic advice, the problem of childhood cancer, or the successes and weaknesses of science itself. According to Manuel Hernández, from Basurto Hospital, the latter is a particularly relevant issue in so far as science is making progress on the one hand but, on the other, it also creates a sense of unease; the paradox lies in the fact that there are higher rates of recovery among these patients, and at the same time, the psychological and social unease and suffering they experience is partly due to the treatments themselves and their sequelae.
Some of the most outstanding professionals include Eduardo Díaz Rubio, Director of the Global Action Plan against Cancer, who delivered the opening lecture entitled 'La estrategia frente al cancer del Sistema Nacional de Salud:el apoyo psicooncológico', in which he defended the provision of stronger psychological support to patients and their families. Also interesting is the Symposium on 'La psicooncología como actividad multidisciplinar'. Participants include Juan Antonio Cruzado, Purificación Martínez, Luzia Travado and Miguel A.González, or the one entitled 'Consejo genético y psicooncología'. Participants include Francisco Gil, Pedro Pérez Segura, Carmen Yagüe and Agustina Sirgo.
In addition, other relevant speakers include Purificación García and Miguel Angel Rosado, who will talk about 'El cancer en el niño', and Concepción López Soler, Aurora Navajas, Jon Keltsa Martínez and Gabriela Medín, who will discuss this same topic:'Cáncer infantil', on a monographic session within a Symposium that will be held on 19 October. In addition, this congress will include lectures on prevention and preventive therapies in psycho-oncology. Participants include María Die Trill, specialist clinical psychologist in Psycho-oncology, who coordinates the Psycho-Oncology Unit at the Gregorio Marañon University Hospital, and will give a lecture entitled 'Retos y respuestas actuales de la Psicooncología'. In her lecture, she will point out that one of the greatest challenges faced by Psycho-oncology is that of providing a working context where physicians can combine professional care and medical research, without forgetting another great challenge, which is that of making authorities aware of the importance of the role played by psycho-oncologists, not only within the field of oncology, but also within any other type of chronic disease, especially if it involves a threat to the life of those who suffer from it.
This Congress will end next Saturday, 20 October, with a round table entitled 'El paciente oncológico, objeto de la ciencia, ciudadano de derecho'. Speakers include Javier Barbero, who will give a lecture on 'El aporte de la bioética al psicooncólogo', Charo Beobide, who will talk about 'Una vision de la persona con cáncer, desde la perspectiva de las asociaciones de afectados', Fructuoso de Castro, who will deliver a lecture on 'El paciente oncológico como objeto de la ciencia social', Michol González, who will focus on 'Atención al paciente oncológico en Osakidetza:hacia una atención integral', and Aner Uriarte, who will give a talk on 'El paciente oncológico, objeto de ciencia, ciudadano de derecho'.Then, Luzia Travado will deliver the closing lecture on 'Psicooncología en los países del sur de Europa:La formación del personal sanitario'.
This is the third in a series of congresses that were held in Valencia in 2002 and in Murcia in 2005, where the SEPO continues to achieve its original aims: to promote scientific activities in the field of Psycho-oncology, to support and foster professional Psycho-oncologists as specialists in oncological care, and to provide information, prevention and education throughout the community. Thus, the theoretical and practical breakthroughs developed by a large group of physicians and lecturers should be made public and shared with other professionals from different disciplines attending the congress (Specialist doctors, Primary Care doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Professionals, Social Workers, etc), as well students currently pursuing their studies.
Manuel Hernández, Coordinator of the Psycho-Oncology Unit at Basurto Hospital, has been the main organiser of this Congress, which has been notified as being of special scientific interest by the Public Health Department of the Basque Government, and that will be held in collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy and Education Sciences at the University of Deusto, the Basque Health Service-Osakidetza, Public Health Department of the Basque Government and Bilbao Town Council.
With regard to the aforementioned Psycho-oncology Unit at Basurto Hospital, it was created in 2001 to treat cancer patients and their families, and it is the first unit of this kind in the Basque Country. It was created in response to a clear demand for this service by a number of medical and hospital services, as well as by the Hospital Governors and Medical Staff themselves, who gave straightforward support to the first projects for the creation of this unit; this means that there was already an interest in a health movement towards cancer, which echoes the concern already present in society.
The organisation of this 3rd Congress by SEPO in our autonomous community reveals the importance and the quality of the work carried out in support of Psycho-oncology in our hospitals by professionals from different fields.
