here your doctor

The diagnosis of lymphoma as a shock to the patient without immediately likened to cancer urge a serious illness which he has so far never heard: this is the main lesson of a survey conducted by TNS Healthcare, at the initiative of the association of lymphoma patients France * Hope, whose results were presented in Paris at a press conference.

A form of cancer!

Each year, 11,000 French are diagnosed with this disease, stages of the diagnosis being experienced as a real anxiety route since the majority does not know this form of cancer.

This is why France Lymphoma Hope created in February 2006 by a former patient, Guy Bouguet, told TNS Healthcare conducting a qualitative study of 28 people, including the announcement of a lymphoma was made less 6 months ago, through interviews conducted face to face for about 1:30. The aim is to learn more about this disease and to better understand the experience of the announcement.

These are the first symptoms of excessive sweating at night, extreme tiredness or the development of lymph nodes or lumps that lead a person to consult your doctor. This usually prescribed as additional tests outside a blood test, an ultrasound scanner, endoscopy with biopsy if necessary.

The imaging specialists (radiologists, sonographers) and specialists (ENT, gastroenterologists) performing these tests are so often involved in the diagnosis. This can then be either direct, sometimes ambiguous ("Lymphoma is a cousin of cancer") or remain in the unsaid. The patient is then referred to a hospital or clinic for a full support.

If the patient can foresee a serious illness, the announcement of a lymphoma will cause a shock as he can not hear the speech of the doctor and ask him for the time being, the survey reveals. It is not uncommon that the patient takes refuge in denial, but in all cases, fear causes a collapse and the diagnosis to close generates a second emotional shock.

The importance of medical discourse and patient organization

The hematologist or oncologist-hematologist is one that definitely makes the diagnosis of lymphoma and defines the therapeutic management. At this point, the word lymphoma is clearly stated, more readily likened to a form of cancer associated with chemotherapy, according to the testimonies.

The explanation for the effectiveness of treatments and reassuring attitude of the doctor encourages the patient to take a more active approach to the disease. The doctor / patient relationship becomes paramount and is based on a common hope of recovery, the occupant specialist therefore a central place for the sick. He is, in fact, that delivers accurate information about the disease (lymphoma type, location), treatment and overall management to come. Rational information reassures the patient and allows him to recover fully to the oncologist for the choice of treatment.

Another lesson learned from the survey results: face a complex disease such as lymphoma, the patient will not necessarily look for other information on the Internet or documents as provided by physicians.

However, it may adopt an ambivalent attitude to the information provided: if they want it reassures and gives him hope of recovery, it does not necessarily want to know the medical details that may be anxiety.

The proposal of psychological, social and / or material assistance is also received differently depending on the patient, as it may refer to a feeling of dependency or reactivate the anxiety associated with the disease.

Lorsqu'est finally mentioned the existence of an association of patients, some of the respondents are not ready to receive new information or be faced with other patients. However, others are enthusiastic about the existence of such an association. It allows them, they say, to get more information about the origin and evolution of the disease, management of side effects associated with treatment, and to share their experiences and to feel some recognition of their affection

France Lymphoma Hope, joined the "Lymphoma Coalition" international association of groups of lymphoma patients in 22 countries around the world. It organizes each year in September the World Lymphoma Awareness Day to better inform the public.