Prostate problems: pilot project of the hospital of Udine with psychologist-oncologist who supports the multidisciplinary team.
«An important result in the name of prevention that must be strengthened. It is a theme that is suffering from difficulties today and that the regional health system must recover. The commitment of associations that goes hand in hand with that of the public service encourages an increase in the culture of prevention, a determining factor for health“. This was stated by the deputy governor with responsibility for the Health of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Riccardo Riccardi, on the occasion of the presentation of the prostate project who will be able to make use, in the multidisciplinary team of the Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital, also of a psychologist-oncologist thanks to the research grant funded by the National Union of Knights of Italy – Udine section in the context of the Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Pathway of Prostate Cancer (Pdta) in the Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital in Udine. Doctor Elisabetta Tomat will hold the position.
The problem
Riccardi has drawn a picture of the difficulties in terms of prevention underlining the high number of activities carried out by the prevention departments compared to the size of the resources and skills made available. “A consideration – Riccardi said – which might partly explain about ten points of difference in negative for Friuli Venezia Giulia with respect to the vaccination adhesion of neighboring regions. It is therefore necessary to put at the center an extraordinary health promotion plan to recover the ground and bridge the distances».
«Land institutions carry out important work alongside which it is crucial – again according to Riccardi – the role of associations that make use of people who make available to othersi, their time and, often, their family history». The deputy governor did not fail to express deep gratitude to health professionals «that will help us get out of the pandemic» rpointing out, even with respect to the controversies of recent days, “the need to tone down because the muscular contrasts between professionals do not help the system».
Prostate Cancer
As it turned out, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the male population of the most industrialized countries: very often, however, men tend not to talk about it, also for fear of social stigma. Therefore, anxiety, depression and stress are added to physical problems. It is therefore important for patients to be able to rely on psychological support; for this reason, the National Union of Knights of Italy – Udine section has decided to finance the research grant for the professional figure of a psychologist-oncologist within the Pdta. Also present at the meeting were the general director of the Friuli Centrale University Healthcare Company, Denis Caporale, the head of the Pdta pathway, Alessandro Magli, the director of the oncology department of Udine Gianpiero Fasola, as well as the president of the Unci section of Udine. , Carlo Del Vecchio. On the occasion, the information brochure was also presented “prostate project: from screening to psychological support“, realized in collaboration with Asufc and with the support of Andos the Udine committee present with the president Mariangela Fantin, which illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic path of prostate cancer, with the aim of promoting prevention and early diagnosis.
The project
Prostate Project: thanks to the UNCI of Udine, the multidisciplinary team of the hospital will also be able to count on the presence of a psychologist. The association finances a research grant for a professional in the Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Path (PDTA) of prostate cancer. An information booklet will also be distributed to those affected by this neoplasm.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the male population of the most industrialized countries; very often, however, men tend not to talk about it also out of fear of social stigma. Therefore, anxiety, depression and stress are added to physical problems. This is why it is important that those affected can count on psychological support: the National Union of Knights of Italy-Udine Section has thus decided to finance a research grant for the professional figure of a psychologist-oncologist as part of the “Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Path (PDTA) of prostate cancer” at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in the Friulian capital. Doctor Elisabetta Tomat will hold the position.
The presentation ceremony of the initiative took place at the Udine hospital in the presence of the vice president of the Fvg Region with responsibility for health, Riccardo Riccardi, by the general director of the AsuFc Dr. Denis Caporale, the Head of the PDTA path Dr. Alessandro Magli, the Director of the structure Dr. Marco Trovò and Dr. Gianpiero Fasola, the Acting Director of Urology Dr. Claudio Valotto, the President Unci-Udine, Gr. Uff. Carlo Del Vecchio, accompanied by the vice president uff. Crucianopietro Bulfamante and the secretary Uff. Giuseppe d’Elicio.
«The psychological support project – explained Del Vecchio –he predicts the construction of a diagnostic path, therapeutic and care for all patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, including patients those in active surveillance. The psychologist’s activity will take place in different phases: a first screening, through the administration of the Distress Thermometer, followed, based on the results, by an assessment interview to deepen awareness, the reasons for stress and the validity of the adaptation strategies in use. Finally, care for patients who need psychological support».
The information
On the occasion, the association also presented the information booklet “Prostate project: from screening to psychological support“, Created in collaboration with AsuFc and with the support of the Andos Committee of Udine, which illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic path of prostate cancer, with the aim of promoting prevention and early diagnosis. The publication, made possible thanks to the contribution of the Banca di Udine, Linea Fabbrica, Demar Caffè, the UNI50 Association of Pradamano and Cima Assicurazione Alliant, will be available at Santa Maria della Misericordia and distributed to patients and interested parties.
«Prostate cancer is among the most frequent cancers in the male population with an incidence in Friuli Venezia Giulia of about 800 new cases a year and about 10,000 men in the region who, according to estimates, live with this disease – commented the vice president Riccardi -. It is one of the cancers with one of the highest survival rates thanks to continuous advances in medical research and improvements in treatments. The disclosure of information is essential to promote prevention, early diagnosis and the feasibility of a personalized therapeutic treatment with curative intent. Alongside screening, this guide becomes a support for citizens in helping them understand the many aspects related to diagnosis, treatments and supportive therapies. I hope that this tool can increase prevention and above all help patients to overcome taboos and resistance by promoting greater awareness in dealing with the issue without fear.».
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