20/03/2023
5 things to know about ”working with cancer”.
- Working with cancer is a campaign that was set up to fight the stigmatization of cancer patients in the workplace. Arthur Sadoun in April 2022, President of Publicis Groupe was confronted with an early and localized ENT cancer induced by the human papillomavirus. This cancer is treated with a curative treatment by surgery to remove the primary tumor, followed by radiotherapy of the cervical lymph node area and areas associated with concomitant chemotherapy for preventive purposes, to reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Instead of remaining discreet and hiding this disease, he preferred to publicize his medical information and promote “working with cancer”. This initiative aims to ensure that companies support their employees in the face of the disease.
- It is a courageous act, Mr. Sadoun has received many testimonials from patients, thanks for having done it and for having set up this promotion.
- Indeed, some patients, in addition to their fear of losing their life to the disease, are also afraid of losing their job. They are afraid to talk about their disease to their colleagues and employers for fear of losing their job or being stigmatized at the risk of not progressing in their professional career. They, therefore, receive no support in their professional environment, preferring to avoid the risk of discrimination. However, it is important to fight against this discrimination, because we also know that the support of loved ones is important in the face of cancer and helps to better support this difficult period.
- Cancer can occur at a young age, especially in women (breast cancer) or men (testicular cancer). Patients in remission after treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormone therapy are regularly monitored by clinical examination, imaging, and biological assessment. The treatments and this monitoring do not prevent patients from working if they have the physical conditions and the will and from pursuing their professional career.
Working with cancer is an excellent initiative and enables companies to mobilize to help and encourage employees affected by cancer all over the world. Thank you Mr. Sadoun for this courageous act for the benefit of all patients who suffer from the silence of this disease at work!
5 things to know about cancer care in France.
- The INCA, National Cancer Institute is a public interest group created by the law of 2004 and allows the coordination of actions in the fight against cancer.
- In France, recommendations are issued in the management of cancer treatments, they can be found on the information platform accessible on e-cancer.fr both on cancer screening information and cancer treatment.
- When cancer is suspected, a diagnostic check-up and its extension of the disease must be carried out. Biopsies are generally taken from the tumor to allow cellular and molecular analysis, an extension assessment is carried out by microscopy and imaging to define the localized stage (I and II), loco regional with lymph node involvement (III), or generalized (stage IV, liver, lung, bone or brain metastases).
- The patient’s file is then discussed in a multidisciplinary consultation meeting with organ specialist doctors, surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, pathologists, and radiologists. At the end of the meeting, treatments are offered to patients adapted to their age, general condition, and illness.
- An announcement consultation is carried out by the doctor taking charge of the patient with a personalized care plan. The purpose of this consultation is to explain the care that will be offered to patients and accompanying caregivers.
In addition to specific treatments against cancer: surgery, medical treatments, radiotherapy, and supportive care that should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made, it is important to help the patient better support his disease and the treatments: analgesic, anti-nausea, psychological support, dietary care, aesthetic care, social, family and professional care.
BONUS:
5 things to know about cancer pain and its treatment:
- Evaluation and treatment of pain in a patient with cancer are done before or during diagnosis and monitored throughout the treatment: treatments are evaluated and adjusted at each consultation.
- Cancer-related pain is multi-factorial: it can be related to cancer, metastases and/or treatments.
- The mechanisms are multiple: inflammation, tumor compression, activation of neurological pain receptors, and fractures.
- There are different categories of nociceptive, neuropathic, and mixed pain. Each has different treatments. Drug treatments are started at the lowest dosages with level 1 analgesics and gradually increased to level 3 corresponding to morphine and its derivatives. There are also specific treatments for neuropathic pain.
- Other alternatives to medical analgesic treatments can relieve pain: hypnosis, acupuncture, local treatments, cream, red light / infrared, or photobiomodulation.
