Breast cancer patients find stop: support in Vienna!

Breast cancer patients find stop: support in Vienna!

breast cancer is the most common tumor disease in women, and every eighth woman falls ill with it in the course of her life. In Vienna, the clinics of the Health Association (Wigev) treat around 5,600 patients with this diagnosis annually. In particular, the Clinic Landstrasse reacted to the special needs of breast cancer patients by offering a clinically psychological group for those affected.

This group pursues the goal of supporting the patients in the best possible way during their treatment and helping them to find their way back to their everyday life. In the case of diagnostic talks, the patients only retain about 20 % of the information, which underlines the need for comprehensive care. In this interdisciplinary cooperation, which ranges from diagnosis to aftercare, women develop strategies to process their illness.

psychological support in challenging times

A central topic in the group is the integration and acceptance of a changed self and body image. The cohesion among the participants promotes social networks within the family and the circle of friends. The group offer is based on the supportive-expressive approach (Segt) according to David Spiegel, which has proven to be effective. The therapy comprises 12 weekly sessions in which 5 to 10 participants work together.

psycho -oncology: an indispensable part of the cancer treatment

Psycho -oncology is an integrative sub -area of ​​oncology that aims to support patients in all phases of their illness. The help begins with the diagnosis and extends to therapy and aftercare. In Germany, there has been a well -developed psycho -oncological care structure since the 1970s, which ensures that every cancer patient is entitled to psycho -oncological care. This is usually taken over by the health insurance companies, and the patients are encouraged to ask their doctor for support if they are not offered.

Psychological problems can often occur during the phases of the disease. A third of cancer patients suffer from mental problems such as anxiety disorders or depression, especially if the physical stress is high or existing psychological difficulties. The psycho -oncological treatment aims to preserve the quality of life of those affected. This includes areas such as health, family, work and the social environment.

The psycho -oncologists who provide this support often come from different fields such as medicine, psychology or social pedagogy and have completed special further training in psychosocial oncology. The offers range from single and group sessions to creative forms of therapy such as art or music therapy. In cases of progressive illness, the focus is on the processing of grief and anger as well as the discussion of dying and death.

Overall, psycho -oncological care is an essential part of the cancer supply, which is intended to help patients deal with the consequences of their illness better. Measures such as this contribute to enabling those affected a fulfilled life despite the challenge of cancer.

For more information on this important topic, we recommend the articles from wien.gv.at , Krebsgesellschaft.de and barmer.de .