Self-care can be defined as the ability of cancer patients to manage their own health and well-being during treatment and recovery by making informed decisions and taking an active role in the health care process. More than simply administering prescribed treatments, self-care is about being aware of your own needs, meeting them responsibly, and taking the necessary steps to maintain or improve your quality of life.
Self-care also means working closely with the medical team, openly communicating concerns and questions, and actively participating in the decision-making process regarding treatment and medical care.
All of these are part of the program started 2 years ago, within the OncoHelp Association – OncoHelp Oncology Center Timișoara.
“Self-care means that the best relationship you have is with yourself. Through these weekly meetings, we invite you to rediscover yourself, to learn about health, courage, self-determination, to understand the transformations brought about by cancer and how to manage them”, says Dr. Dana Nagy – head of the Palliative Care Department OncoHelp Association – Oncology Center OncoHelp Timisoara.
“Self-Care Class is a time when patients can learn how to manage their illness, both physically and psychologically, and how to feel more in control of a very difficult time in their lives. It seems to me that the closeness to each other and the informal space that is formed during self-care hours are like a breath of fresh air in moments of balance and great worries. We welcome both patients and their relatives to be with us during these meetings”, says Alexandra Rebeca Mihoc, psychologist Asociația OncoHelp – OncoHelp Oncology Center Timișoara.
For 8 weeks, 13 specialists from the OncoHelp Association will address topics related to managing symptoms and side effects of treatments, adopting a healthy lifestyle, as well as engaging in activities that provide emotional and social support. These include the presentation of a practical guide to coping with oncological disease and lifestyle recommendations in the context of cancer. At the same time, it will be discussed about movement and physical therapy in the self-care routine, but also about the importance of music in oncological disease. Another theme will be related to alternative therapies in the treatment of cancer and the importance of correct information, but a separate topic, “Travel and cancer” will also be discussed. Soul self-care is another particularly important topic in the context of an oncological disease. Last but not least, medical topics will be addressed, including the management of lymphedema.
“Through this project, a favorable environment is created for the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of ties between patients and specialists, as well as between those in the same situation. It is an important step towards personalized healthcare, where the patient is at the center of attention and is encouraged to take an active role in their own care and recovery. is not just a program, but a community where each participant feels accepted, supported and encouraged to follow their own path to health and happiness. It is an example of solidarity and empathy, which brings light and hope to the lives of those facing difficult medical challenges”, says Prof. Dr. Şerban Negru – president of the OncoHelp Association – OncoHelp Oncology Center.
The first meeting of the “Self-Care Hour” will take place on May 7. Scheduling for enrollment in this project and obtaining more information can be done by calling 0723443883 or using the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
