Cancer patients can also enjoy their summer holidays provided they inform their Oncologist in advance and follow their indications

dr_perez_oncologia_quironsalud_marbella_hospitalSummer is here and with it, people are out to enjoy outdoor activities, mainly in the areas close to the beach or the rivers. But not everyone enjoys this period in the same circumstances, especially people who are going through a time of poor health. Cancer patients who are being treated must be extra careful so that the disruption of their routine does not translate into a breach in their health. The experts highlight the importance of following the counselling and indications of their oncologists in order to safely enjoy a well-deserved rest.

In this sense, Doctor Diego Pérez, a specialist in the Comprehensive Oncology Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital, highlights that "oncology patients must enjoy summer as they would any other time of the year, especially as it is the holiday season per se, but they must comply with a number of basic requirements if they don’t want to reduce the effects of their treatment or diminish other aspects of their health. There must be a balance between the wish to go on a holiday and the need to comply with the treatment, which is entirely possible. It is essential for the patient to accept their reality and be conscious that they must comply with the indications".

The expert offers certain clues for the summer break to be as pleasant as possible for the patient. One of them is planning. "It is essential for the trip to be planned well in advance and for the advice of the Oncologist to be previously sought, so that the necessary individualised and personalised decisions can be made and the holidays can fit around the scheduled treatment cycles", he states. Another important aspect highlighted by Doctor Diego Pérez is to "plan the holiday as a relaxing activity and avoid increasing the patient’s stress. Patients must refrain from travelling to places with extreme circumstances, in terms of climate, terrain or difficulty of access to health centres".

The specialist of the Comprehensive Oncology Unitof the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital also highlights other aspects that have an impact on the wellbeing of a patient during their holidays, such as clothing, food and rest. "We must take into account that in the summer we dehydrate more easily and therefore we must wear clothes that are adequate to the season and take an adequate amount of liquids (mainly water). With regards to food, this must be balanced and varied without excesses being made. Patients must keep a regular exercise routine, similar to the one they are already having, without excess and avoiding the hottest times of the day. In the same way, it is important to sleep the necessary number of hours and it is even recommended that patients take an afternoon nap to avoid activity during the central hours of the day", he explains.

Patients are advised not to forget to bring their medical information with them to their holiday destination. As Doctor Diego Pérez highlights "patients must ensure they have their most recently updated oncology report with them and make sure they bring the necessary medication to last them for the entire holiday (whether it is their specific oncologic treatment or other drugs such as pain killers …). Likewise, they must inform the people with whom they are travelling of their current situation and tell their closest relatives about their trip. When the trip has been planned to areas with high sun incidence levels, patients must avoid exposure during the central hours of the day (from 11.30 am to 6:30 pm) and always protect themselves with loose sleeves, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen factor >50".

There are cases where reservations in terms of these recommendations must be made. Patients who are at an advanced stage of their condition "may be required not to leave their homes if leaving means a detriment to the basic healthcare dependent patients require" explains the expert who also suggests that "your Oncologist must be consulted at all times".

In summary, summer is a time for rest, relaxation and reunions, which cannot be less for an oncologic patient, provided always that they think ahead, plan and inform their habitual medical team of their intentions. To the extent possible, your Oncologist will help you have the most enjoyable summer period possible without acting in detriment of the benefits provided by your therapy.

Oncology Comprehensive Unit

The Oncology Comprehensive Unit of Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital is included in an innovative network organisational and working model that includes also Quirónsalud Malaga Hospital and Quirónsalud Campo de Gibraltar Hospital. This platform works in the benefit of the patient with cancer and offers a multidisciplinary medical project and the possibility to access the most advanced technology available in medicine.

The culture of collaborative work implemented in this healthcare model guarantees an individualised diagnosis, non-delayed diagnostic tests and personalised selection of the most suitable treatment. The circuit starts with a multidisciplinary oncologic committee with various specialists who assess the most suitable therapy option for each medical case. Once the decision has been made, the various appointments for the systemic treatments (chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and/or immunotherapy) are scheduled together with a highly-technological therapy (SBRT, IGRT, radiosurgery…). Besides, the patient can choose to receive any complementary support services they may require (nutritional advice, psycho-oncology, physical activity, oncologic hyperthermia, hyperbaric chamber …).