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ICM health professionals urge the public to continue screening and medical appointments with their doctor in case of suspected cancer.
A month’s delay in cancer treatment would increase mortality by 6 to 13%. These figures come from a study published in the journal British Medical Journal. These data are of concern to health officials who want to educate the population on this topic.
“From the first symptom, do not hesitate to consult”
Marc Ychou, director general of the Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM), insists “ the large number of new patients arriving at the hospital with more advanced cancers than usual and fewer people arriving at an early stage. ” This is the case in particular of a patient who was screened last February but who did not come to consult to make a diagnosis. With the health crisis coming, she was slow to make an appointment. As a result, doctors discovered a tumor in him a week ago, and the treatment protocol will suffer.
“During the first hospitalization, the patients were scared, they were locked up in their homes and did not go out. Even for consultations. We were less experienced on our part. We did not have the same equipment. Even if we did not. A there was never a lack of masks or gels at home, it was more complicated “, says Cédric Guillaumon, director of assistance at the ICM.
Marc Ychou, Director General of the ICM: “We must consult”
How is this second ICM imprisonment going?
There are more consultations today than in the first confinement. But it’s still not a normal pace. During the first wave, we noticed a 40 to 50% drop in new patients coming for a consultation. That didn’t mean there was no disease. We’ve had an explosion of cases of new advanced patients coming out of containment. We absolutely must avoid reproducing the same model.
How does the ICM adapt to accommodate as many patients as possible?
We have a very strict health protocol. Accompanying persons are no longer allowed (with special exceptions). We have changed the way services operate to have less traffic and less waiting. The hydroalcoholic gel is available everywhere in the hospital, we have masks for everyone (staff and patients). People can consult without fear, all precautions are taken and the risk of contamination in the hospital is minimal.
Why is it important to consult quickly?
Treatment starting with a delay of one month increases the risk of death by 6 to 13%. Advice over time is vital.
“We learned from the first wave”
Within the imaging department, “everything has been reorganized to better accommodate patients, limit contacts and continue business at 100%. We learned from the first wave “, adds Raphaël Tetreau, co-manager of the service.
“I’m here today for breast cancer screening, like every two years. I was not afraid to come, on the contrary, I am reassured that I was able to. I was afraid the doctors would cancel my appointment. It is important to always be followed even in times of health crisis like this “, indicates a 64-year-old patient.
These comments are confirmed by Anne Vendrell, a radiologist in the department. “There is a big difference in behavior. At the first birth, we had a 50% drop in activity. Today patients come for fear they won’t be diagnosed with something. But that’s not the case. It’s not won yet, people they should know they can come without fear. “
Jacques, 79, has just completed his long series of 42 bundle sessions to treat prostate cancer. “I started my first ray on September 17. I was not afraid to go to the hospital, neither before nor during delivery. There are additional precautions to be taken but it is nothing. Compared to the happiness of having finished it. The hospital does everything. to treat us in the best possible way and they do it well. “
Postponement or cancellation
This new organization, in order to avoid that patients cross paths or wait too long in the waiting rooms “It gives more work to the staff but it is fundamental. Our goal is to cure as much as when there is no health crisis, says Véronique Laroche, manager of a day hospital. However, in the last two weeks, we have canceled or postponed many day hospital appointments with patients because they are contacts or positive for Covid-19 “.
“This then shows that the virus is circulating more, but our priority is to protect patients. Positive people or contact cases have postponed the appointment to avoid taking risks. In addition, we have strengthened the hygiene and safety measures. “he adds.
Radiotherapy patients with Covid-19 are welcomed at the ICM
Specific measures have been implemented in the ICM’s radiotherapy department in order to continue providing radiotherapy sessions to patients with the coronavirus. “Impossible to postpone a radiotherapy treatment that has already started”, according to Cédric Guillaumon, the director of assistance at the ICM. More, “Two resuscitation beds have been created in the Institute to remain as independent as possible and not overload other hospitals already overwhelmed”, He adds.
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