Wings for Life World Run. Support Group for mastectomy patients (GAPM) operated on for breast cancer, is part of a project that arises as an initiative from a proposal by the group of professionals from the Manuel Fajardo University Hospital , linked to the Mastology Group who wish to neutralize or mitigate the scars of the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, was founded on March 8 , 2003 .
Wings for Life World Run
Summary
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- 1 Creation of the group
- 2 Group Objectives
- 1 The objectives of this group are:
- 3 Activities carried out by the group
- 4 Achievements of the Group for mastectomy patients
- 5 Sources
Group Creation
The “Wings for Life” Project emerged on March 8, 2003, with the consensus of a group of health professionals and technicians, operated on for breast cancer , family members and friends in general. In the first instance, it is agreed to create a Support Group for Mastectomized Patients, since this type of tumor has the potential to be the most devastating to the self-esteem and sexual function of women, for what it represents for female beauty, for constituting a symbol of human sexuality, and because it is an important erogenous zone , hence the importance and necessity of the project. The main aspects of the Project have been:
- First phase: develop activities with the patients operated on through the Group to achieve their total rehabilitation, and promote their incorporation in the provinces and institutions where similar projects are created”.
- Second phase: through the Group, promote health actions aimed at healthy women so that they can participate in the Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Program.
The dissemination through radio, television and the written press of the existence of the Group, as well as the message to women of the importance of regular check-ups, breast self-examination and mammography , are priorities of the Project.
group goals
Patient Support Group
This group of professionals propose new alternatives to women with breast cancer so that they prepare for a new stage, although living with the position of a chronic patient, so that they can function in their daily lives, find a bio-psycho-social balance, and of course enjoy of an adequate quality of life .
The objectives of this group are:
- Raise the self-esteem of the operated.
- Improve your quality of life and reduce stress.
- Incorporation into society.
- Seek support among the operated.
- Disseminate updated information on breast cancer and other topics of interest.
- Offer information and guidance to close relatives.
- Apply and develop group therapies.
- Invite operated women who do not know about the project.
- Promote prevention actions so that women in general participate in the National Program for Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer.
This group is made up of patients from each region and institution in the country, such as family members, health professionals and technicians; and many other people who spontaneously stimulate and support its functioning.
Activities carried out by the group
- Search and provide support among the operated
- Lectures to expand scientific knowledge about your underlying disease (taught by prestigious specialists), including bioethics, current treatments for breast cancer.
- Importance of early diagnosis, importance of self-examination and how it is done, mammography, alterations of sexuality and the psychological sphere in general. Everything that every woman should know about her breasts From her.
- Involve the family, physical activityand health . Meetings are held, experiences are exchanged that are very productive, both for the participants and for the technical and professional staff. These meetings bring a lot of optimism and hope to each one. Lectures on topics of interest to the operated and the family.
- Alternative medicine also has its place in these meetings, as well as energy therapy, breathing and meditation exercises are performed thatare very beneficial for relaxation .
- Participatory Group Therapy, the acceptance of your body and the body-mind-spirit relationship that helps to greatly improve the well-being of the members of the Group.
- In these meetings there is a question session, where doubts are raised in relation to breast cancer.
- Dance as therapy(active health break), activities are performed with music at a contagious rhythm, to warm up the body and thus make the muscles work, especially those around the breasts.
- The gradual talks that improve human quality and sensitivity, which is sometimes expressed in a dramatic but objective way.
- With the help of radio, television and print media, related messages are sent to all Cuban women.
Achievements of the Group for mastectomy patients
activities
Among the achievements of the Support Group for Mastectomized Patients – Wings for Life -, it has turned out to be a useful instrument to raise self-esteem and improve the quality of life of women, it has strengthened and humanized the cause. Every March 8 – International Women’s Day -, a national meeting is held in Havana with all the patients and relatives who are part of the project to celebrate La Vida.
The number of followers in this noble cause has been increasing through the organization of similar groups throughout the country, at the provincial and municipal levels. This movement, which in its beginnings set out to protect, help and support the operated woman and her relatives with a lot of love, dedication and solidarity, has grown and its strength, potential and expectations transcend its borders, projecting itself to reach, in addition to all women for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer.
Information is the main method at this time for women, not only to know the early signs of a possible breast neoplasm , its main scourge, but also to reduce the states of stress and anxiety that affect them so much when they face benign lesions of the breast and this has been the commitment of the Group, which intends to bring together all those operated on in the country with breast cancer under the name of Wings for Life.
A brochure with questions and answers on breast conditions that have been raised at Group meetings was also produced. A postage stamp was designed, pointing out the importance of breast self-examination. It has been found that many of the colleagues who have joined the Group managed to reduce their levels of stress and anxiety, joining the activities where they carry out tasks and acquire commitment to the group, such as visiting other convalescents. Some operators state that joining the Group has helped them get out of the rut that their concerns have changed and their level of scientific information has risen considerably.
The project consists of a help line that has among its functions:
- Inform
- Guide
- Spread
- Promote health activities
- Provide psychological support to any woman or relative who requests help or information.
The help line or telephone counseling gives guidance on this breast disease and can be contacted by telephone through the telephone numbers
- 8369936-8369937, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between the hours of 2:00pm-4:00pm.
To join the project you just have to call the Helpline