Atención Oncológica y Cuidados Paliativos en Manabí. Un Enfoque Psicosocial y Salud

Cancer is a major health problem worldwide. This disease is accompanied by a significant emotional burden for those who suffer from it due to the uncertainty of its evolution, the side effects of the treatment, the change in daily life and the symptoms themselves. For these reasons, cancer patients often feel a perception of vulnerability and loss of control that increases their level of distress and makes them need special care. Hence, the importance of palliative care, as it seeks to alleviate the suffering of patients with serious diseases such as cancer, providing care to improve quality of life and the primary objective is to avoid or treat the symptoms and side effects of the disease and of treatment as soon as possible, in addition to treating any psychological, social and spiritual problems related to the disease. Therefore, this article aims to present relevant and updated theoretical aspects on the subject, where the importance of psychosocial factors is highlighted, since they provide patients with mechanisms that allow them to assume the disease and control their emotional state. Keywords: Cancer care, palliative care, psychosocial approach.El cáncer es un problema sanitario de primera magnitud a escala mundial. Esta enfermedad viene acompañada de una carga emocional importante para quien la padece por la incertidumbre de su evolución, los efectos secundarios del tratamiento, el cambio en la vida cotidiana y los síntomas propiamente dichos de la misma. Por estas razones, el paciente oncológico suele sentir una percepción de vulnerabilidad y de pérdida de control que aumentan el nivel de angustia y que le hace necesitar unos cuidados especiales. De allí, la importancia de los cuidados paliativos, pues estos buscan aliviar el sufrimiento de pacientes con enfermedades graves como el cáncer, dando atención para mejorar la calidad de vida y el objetivo primordial es evitar o tratar los síntomas y efectos secundarios de la enfermedad y del tratamiento lo antes posible, además de tratar cualquier problema psicológico, social y espiritual relacionado con la enfermedad. Por ello, el presente artículo pretende exponer aspectos teóricos relevantes y actualizados sobre el tema, donde se resalta la importancia de los factores psicosociales, ya que dotan a los pacientes de mecanismos que le permiten asumir la enfermedad y controlar su estado emocional. Palabras claves: Atención oncológica, cuidados paliativos, enfoque psicosocial. Abstract Cancer is a major health problem worldwide. This disease is accompanied by a significant emotional burden for those who suffer from it due to the uncertainty of its evolution, the side effects of the treatment, the change in daily life and the symptoms themselves. For these reasons, cancer patients often feel a perception of vulnerability and loss of control that increases their level of distress and makes them need special care. Hence, the importance of palliative care, as it seeks to alleviate the suffering of patients with serious diseases such as cancer, providing care to improve quality of life and the primary objective is to avoid or treat the symptoms and side effects of the disease and of treatment as soon as possible, in addition to treating any psychological, social and spiritual problems related to the disease. Therefore, this article aims to present relevant and updated theoretical aspects on the subject, where the importance of psychosocial factors is highlighted, since they provide patients with mechanisms that allow them to assume the disease and control their emotional state. Keywords: Cancer care, palliative care, psychosocial approach. Información del manuscrito:Fecha de recepción: 05 de octubre de 2023.Fecha de aceptación: 18 de diciembre de 2023.Fecha de publicación: 10 de enero de 2024