The story of five women with breast cancer.

Five women affected by breast cancer expressed in first person "Tell me" what has meaning for them the diagnosis of this disease, their concern for their children or work as they struggle to try to beat this disease.

Medical Oncology (SEOM) and sanofi-aventis, under the auspices of the Spanish Federation of Breast Cancer (FECMA), have this book that has been coordinated by Dr. Ana Lluch, head of Hematology and Oncology Service University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Dr. Begona Vireo and Vicente Alomancy clinical psychologist, both in the same department of the hospital in Valencia.

According to Dr. Ana Loch, "the most important is that these five women have wanted to have his testimony motivated by his" courage "and in order to help other patients diagnosed with the same disease."

The psychological impact posed by the discovery of a malignant lump in one breast, is for a woman and her surroundings an emotional process that should not be overlooked. The role of the psycho-oncologist in these situations is critical. And of equal importance is the role of a medical oncologist in the treatment of disease. Treatment must be done in a multidisciplinary way to allow for better early diagnosis, some major advances in surgical techniques, advances in new treatments in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, etc. to provide greater healing and improved quality of life of patients.

"Tell me" is a publication containing case studies of patients diagnosed with breast cancer where they tell their story in first person, and sick, but with an addition from the standpoint of medical and psychological. Each personal story will complement a comment from a psycho-oncologist and medical oncologist.

Bethlehem is a 32 years old, married, no kids, and journalist. In October 2006 there was a different from other breast. As she says "everything happened very quickly." He was diagnosed with ducal breast cancer. Breast was removed completely and fifteen nodes in the arm. Treatment was administered six cycles of chemotherapy. Had little support from her partner, and his great concern revolved around the possibility of having biological children later.

The psychologist said the anxiety was Bethlehem in the process of diagnosis, "the negative anticipations increased anxiety-depressive reaction, blocking the personal resources of emotional self-control." Fertility has been the most important concern.

The general recommendations given by the psychologist are: in the diagnostic phase, it must be designed to anticipate situations and not in others near and in the treatment phase, you must have adequate information, support of loved ones and surrounding find ways to help.

Mirabel is a woman also aged 32, married and childless and administrative careers. In the routine screening saw a bundle of which he took a sample to be analyzed. In 2005 he was operated and knew she was "in good hands." Wanted children and had almost no side effects, but finally had an induced menopause.

This woman had a family history of cancer. As a psychologist explains, "the appearance of breast cancer has multiple causes, we can not know what was the cause of its appearance. Ask for it does not provide valid information that can help confront the problem. " Breast cancer was a huge emotional impact on Mirabel truncated because of his desire to be a mother. "Breast cancer and its treatments have major physical, psychological and social, personal and family characteristics, along with information and care received by patients influence their reactions to the diagnosis and treatment, as well as decision making and subsequent adaptation ".

Mercedes, is a mother of 48, divorced with two children, one 30 and one aged 28, and journalist by profession. It was noted a lump in her left breast and underwent surgery in ten days. He had full support of his family. As discussed in the book "Cancer has given me a lesson in optimism."

Mercedes had no family history of cancer, adjuvant treatment was administered, not unusual in patients with breast carcinoma.

Patricia is a 34 year old woman, married without children, and to practice medicine. It felt a lump in the right areola. Commends the role of the oncologist with phrases like "the oncologist that I had conveyed much peace and that gave me hope."

As the psychologist says "any suspected or breast change that worries us, we go to a specialist who will review and guide us. Reactive emotional blockage diagnosis usually last 7 to 15 days. The attitude of emotional support should encourage emotional expression: stop mourn, share fears and concerns, raise short-term objectives, provide the information needed to guide the patient in their decisions. These attitudes are usually sufficient to make the patient feel competent again. "

Victoria is a woman of 49, a daughter of 18, and flamenco dance teacher. "The emotional distress (distress) is present in all patients with cancer, but the social and cultural context has enormous variations in how to recognize and treat. The feelings associated with the disease often expressed as fear, worry, sadness. These reactions form part of a continuum in which the intensity and duration determine the normality or severity of reaction, "says the psychologist in the book.

"Commit to the patient is the first step in establishing interpersonal relationships by helping the patient feel comfortable and laying the foundations of a therapeutic relationship. Generally, patients get scared to medical services and seek the help of the healthcare team. Do not disappoint in the first consultation important, "advises Dr. Vicente Alomancy.

Have been published 5,000 copies of "Tell me." This book will be distributed between the departments of medical oncology at Spanish hospitals and is available from the Spanish Society for Medical Oncology (SEOM) -91.577.52.81 - or download it on the website of SEOM, www.seom.org in paragraph of information to the public in publications.

Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and second leading causes of death in women 35 to 54. An estimated one in eight women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime. Each year in Spain, this disease causes some 6,000 deaths and about 16,000 new cases diagnosed in Spain.

Breast cancer develops in the mammary glands that produce milk or in the cells lining the ducts that do get the milk to the nipple. The initial stage breast cancer refers to when the cancer is located in the glandular tissue of the breast. Subsequently, this may extend to underlying areas of the breasts (in which case it is called locally advanced) and even other parts of the body (which is known as metastasis breast cancer.)

But not all breast cancers are alike. Says Dr. Ramon Colomer, president of SEOM, "there are different types of breast tumors. Some have expression of estrogen receptors or progesterone. And there are other breast cancers with over expressed HER-2 receptor, and develop, therefore, a particularly aggressive type of tumor. To identify molecular alterations, says Dr. Cooler, we will decide what treatments we use in this type of disease. "