UAL and AECC bring the reality of breast cancer closer to health students
Topics Almería Universidad de Almería
Students of Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Psychology have taken part in a day on breast cancer in which cancer patients shared their experience and innovations in screening for the disease were addressed.
Students of Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Psychology have taken part in a training day on breast cancer organised by the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability, Health and Sports of the University of Almería (UAL) and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Almería. The activity is part of World Breast Cancer Day, which is commemorated on October 19.
Patients in the first person
The content of the day was "eminently human", according to the UAL. A voice was given to cancer patients, who recounted in the first person their experience during treatment and also at the time of diagnosis. The round table was moderated by the president of the AECC in Almería, Magdalena Cantero, and it was attended by Maravillas López, lawyer; María del Mar Rodríguez, nurse, and Francisco Tornés, doctor, the three of them cancer patients.
The data on the disease
Cantero has pointed out that in the province of Almería more than 500 people were diagnosed last year, more than one a day, and has put the figure at 8,000 in Andalusia and 38,000 in Spain. In addition, she has indicated that 516,000 people are trying to overcome the process right now. The president of the AECC has encouraged the students to "promote research" and to align themselves with the association to face their work "in the most comprehensive way possible".
Innovations in screening
The main lecture was given by Marina Álvarez, head of the Radiodiagnosis service of the Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, with the title "Innovations and challenges in breast cancer screening". She was introduced by Juan Manuel Rodríguez, head of Surgery of the Breast Unit of the Hospital Universitario de Torrecárdenas.
The goal of the day
The vice-rector for Sustainability, Health and Sports, Gabriel Aguilera, has explained that the goal is "that they have the experience of being able to talk with people who are working in breast cancer, but also with patients". Aguilera has highlighted that the students' training "is not only about knowledge and techniques, but also about attitudes and values".
Cantero has stated that they want the students' training "to have that specific link with the Spanish Association Against Cancer, because throughout their professional career they are going to come across patients of this nature".
