Each year around 750 new cases are detected in the Marina Alta. How is cancer dealt with in our environment? The International Day of the fight against Cancer is celebrated on February 4, and for this reason we spoke with Isabel Llorca, president of the association Amunt Against Cancer. We collect information about the state of care in Dénia, Amunt's work and the personal stories that live each day in the association.
Amunt Against Cancer has helped to get wigs, wheelchairs and benefits for many people. Has cost trips to hospitals reference, housing rentals that could not be paid, and food in extreme situations. Isabel Llorca explains that "whenever a case of cancer is detected in a family, the economic situation worsens, either because the patient cannot work, either because he needs a caregiver and significant expenses are generated." So in Amunt they try to help in serious situations all they can. They are an autonomous association with the freedom to give their funds, and they are financed with the contribution of their partners and with the organization of solidarity activities, such as the walk and dinner they make each year.
"First fear and acceptance, then strength and struggle"
In this video, several patients tell their personal experiences. How they have lived their illness and how they want to help other people with their testimony.
Throughout this process, Amunt tries to give advice, means and unconditional support to the sick. According to Isabel Llorca, they want to "cross the disease from the patient's hand", supporting, giving human warmth, facilitating the path. "The reward and satisfaction are enormous, and in fact, many sufferers become volunteers." As their motto says, "Where the law does not reach and the administration does not arrive, there is Amunt."
How the road starts
Most of the time there is suspicion of a tumor, the patient goes to the surgeon, performs a biopsy, a CT scan and perhaps also an MRI to see the extent of the disease. Afterwards, the oncologist is referred for evaluation. Normally, the patient is usually treated in the Hospital de Dénia, although sometimes the patient decides to be treated in another hospital; So Amunt provides you with all the information you need about the procedures. Chemotherapy treatment is available at the Dénia Hospital, but radiotherapy is given in Benidorm. In Dénia there is also a palliative care service to increase the quality of life of patients, but there is still no possibility that patients join clinical trials.
The "patient empowerment"
Spend time with them in the consultation, devote attention so that they know everything about their disease, that they feel safe and that they can decide. This is to empower the patient, give him the information and tools so that he can "manage" the disease as well as possible. Isabel Llorca explains this concept to us as something very important that should be applied in hospital centers.
The importance of research
In Amunt they are up to date with the advances, especially in order to mediate and refer patients to the main institutes that set them in motion. For example the INCLIVA, Health Research Institute. With their mediation, they get leading treatments such as immunotherapy, liquid biopsy or brachytherapy. On Saturday, February 8, Amunt celebrates its third solidarity dinner, in which they will donate an important amount for pancreatic cancer research. "It is a tribute to those who have overcome cancer, to those in battle, and to those who have not been able to."
