The 3rd Research Day for Patients’ Associations took place on 6 September, focusing on colorectal cancer patients.
The day began with a welcome talk by Dr. Elena Élez, medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and head of the Colorectal Cancer Group at VHIO.
Dr. Élez detailed how colorectal cancer is detected, what the current methods are, and how cancer research has changed in recent years.
She also explained VHIO’s research model in which the teams are multidisciplinary, and the Hospital’s medical staff are in daily contact with researchers in the laboratories to improve the quality of life of patients and find new effective treatments for colorectal cancer.
“In recent years, more cases of colorectal cancer have been detected than a few years ago, but this is due to current screening systems and to earlier detection of the disease”, said Dr. Élez.
A DAY TO BRING RESEARCH CLOSER TO PATIENTS
The mission of this conference is to provide a space for debate and learning between patients and the medical team that treats them during the treatment of the disease.
Dr. Marta Rodriguez, the medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and member of VHIO’s Colorectal Cancer Group, explained how clinical trials analyze each patient individually to find the best treatment.
The Colorectal Cancer Group presented its main research lines at the conference. In this regard, Dr. Iosune Baraibar, a medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and member of the VHIO Colorectal Cancer Group explained the OPTIMISTICC project, a project to deepen the role of the microbiome in cancer.
“We are involved in the OPTIMISTICC project and are interested in how the microbiome changes during treatment. Identifying the difference between a ‘healthy’ and a ‘unhealthy’ microbiome and understanding how they relate to colorectal cancer are the goals of the study”, explained Dr. Baraibar.
Dr. Maria-Josep Carreras, head of the section at the Oncohaematological Pharmaceutical Care Unit of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, answered questions from the audience about the approval process of a drug, or how the phases until a patient can receive this new drug in the hospital.
Javier García, an expert patient who participated in the conference by sharing his experience, commented: “I am here thanks to the oncologists, nurses who have taken care of me and thousands of patients every day. I have been able to agree to participate in two different clinical trials here at the hospital that have allowed me to continue fighting this disease”, she said.
During the last part of the day, Juan Ars, physiotherapist of the Pere Virgili Health Park and researcher of the REFiTBCN Group (PS Pere Virgili – VHIR), reflected on the importance of physical exercise during cancer treatment and how it can improve the quality of life in the different stages of the disease.
Finally, the VHIO’s Colorectal Cancer Group nutritionist, Adriana Alcaraz, explained the important role that nutrition plays in the treatment of patients with this type of cancer and some practical tips to apply in the daily diet. It is not only important for patients, but also for the public, to adopt healthy habits and prevent diseases.
The visit ended with a tour of the laboratories in the Cellex building, to open the doors of the facilities to the participants.
This day is part of the actions within the Severo Ochoa Patients and Citizenship Programme, coordinated by VHIO’s Scientific Management Area, which aims to educate patients and citizens in oncology, both in research and in the knowledge of cancer.
The 3rd Research Day for Patients’ Associations was supported by Merck España and Servier España.
