Hospiten, as part of its quest to create ecosystems of wellbeing, held a conference on Women's Health in the field of cancer care for women. On June 21, four health professionals covered different subjects related to this disease and its approach in order to promote knowledge about them and expand the tools with which to take care of themselves: breast cancer, tattoos and their risks and precautions, oncological and reconstructive micropigmentation, and "emotional balance in the face of adversity".
The conference, held in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, began with Dr. Katharina Arand-Marx, a gynecologist specializing in breast pathology. The most frequently asked questions about breast cancer, one of the most common cancers among women globally, were addressed. It is estimated that 1 in every 8-10 women has had or will have breast cancer in her lifetime. Although the 5-year survival rate is high, at around 82.8%, prevention and early detection are key in the approach to the disease and its good prognosis.
Palpation is the most common method that helps us to detect changes in our breasts. We have to pay attention to skin changes, redness or change of color, a lump in any of the breasts, nipple or skin retraction or any change in the shape of the breast, the gynecologist explained. If you notice any of these body changes, you should immediately go to a specialist, it is important to listen to your body when faced with changes, and prevention through diagnostic screening is fundamental, she added.
MICROPIGMENTATION VS. TATTOOING
There is a large percentage of cases in which prevention is not enough and the disease develops, having to undertake a medical oncological process, which in many cases involves surgery or other treatments, such as chemotherapy.
Oncological micropigmentation is a specialized procedure that is performed on people who have undergone these processes. This treatment helps to reconstruct and improve the appearance of the areas of hair lost after chemotherapy or reconstruction, such as the nipple-areola area, after surgery, providing a more natural look and contributing to the emotional recovery of the person.
It is therefore an aesthetic treatment that will be different for each cancer patient. Understanding the needs and characteristics of each case is key to offer the appropriate micropigmentation treatment.
The difference between this treatment and common tattoos is a very frequent question when facing the process. In essence, micropigmentation is a semi-permanent technique and is carried out by professionals with health training and after allergy tests, factors that are not present in the common tattoo technique.
In the last two decades we are witnessing a remarkable increase in the practice of tattooing, especially in young people; however, in parallel this boom has led to an increase in associated medical complications. It should be taken into account that this procedure can alter the physical and immunological barrier provided by the skin, added the Head of the Cosmetic Dermatology and Cutaneous Laser Unit at the Hospiten Rambla University Hospital, Dr. Lucía Pimentel.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE
The psycho-oncologist of the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Laura Otón Nieto, closed the conference by introducing a very necessary aspect in the approach to cancer and the care of people suffering from it: "emotional balance in the face of adversity". The oncological process is a difficult path not only on a physical level, due to the affection of the disease itself and the treatments, but also emotionally, since there is a large component of uncertainty and fatigue that both the people suffering from cancer and the people around them have to face.
Each person is unique and their process is therefore unique as well, so it is good to move away from "how I should be" to focus our energy on finding out how I really am and then take the best possible care of what I need on this difficult road," said Laura Otón. Psychological care can be a good ally for this.
Psychological care from the hands of professionals can offer the necessary support on the road to alleviating suffering during this complicated process. Through tools such as emotional relief, the management of discomfort and self-regulation, the facilitation of acceptance or adaptation to the new daily routine, people can be greatly helped.
About Hospiten
Hospiten is an international healthcare network with more than 55 years of experience committed to providing the highest quality service, with 20 private medical-hospital centers in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama, in addition to 175 outpatient medical centers, under the Clinic Assist brand. Founded by Dr. Pedro Luis Cobiella, it annually attends more than two million patients from all over the world and has a staff of more than 5,000 people.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid is part of Hospiten and is a subsidiary of the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (Texas, USA). With more than 20 years of history in Spain, MD Anderson Madrid currently has a Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, more than 150 medical specialists trained in oncology, a total of 87 hospital beds and state-of-the-art technological equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of different types of cancer.
This article is an English translation generated with Al from the original Spanish content. While we review content for clarity, the information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment.