Faced with cancer, the League presents its support offer to help patients and their loved ones

Whether we are affected or close to a patient, we know that cancer does not only affect the body. The disease impacts the entire life of the patient and that of their family, especially as inequalities in access to health are widening. Faced with these complex situations, the League against Cancer presents a range of services which has been enriched over the course of the cancer plans. Focus on this holistic approach which aims to be closer to the needs of the people impacted.

Supportive care, essential support for better resistance

The League presents its support care offering which has greatly expanded through contact with patients and their needs. Thus, if the priority remains the fight against the side effects of treatments for the comfort of patients, the League recalls that the additional needs, although essential, are often less known. She asks how to respond to this lack by offering several supports:

• Psychological support for the sick person as well as their loved ones, in the form of individual support or discussion groups. A toll-free professional helpline number (0 800 940 939) is also accessible for any questions or need for answers;
• Of the’physical activity adapted. This remains essential throughout treatment and beyond to combat side effects, maintain self-confidence and maintain social connections. 90% of departmental committees offer physical activity sessions adapted to people with cancer, during and/or after treatment;
• Care socio aesthetics are also offered by each departmental committee to support physical changes (hair loss, etc.) and take care of yourself;
• Of the dietary advice to adapt your diet to your new needs are proposed in more than half of the departmental committees. It is possible to benefit from free follow-up in consultation with a dietitian in a health establishment, during but also post-treatment.

Access to social and legal advice too

We also know, unfortunately, that the disease can accentuate social inequalities and impact the entire material sphere of the patient. The League therefore also recalls its skills in this area.

• Social commissions to provide support in the face of financial difficulties. Although cancer is treated as part of long-term illnesses (ALD), the people concerned often have to face additional expenses that remain their responsibility (excess fees, prostheses, transport costs, assistance with home, etc.). Commissions can grant personalized financial support on application;
• Support for social difficulties. The League recalls having a network of social contacts dedicated to all difficulties and an informative site, https://droit-demarche-cancer.fr/to answer the majority of questions;
• An associative system dedicated to loan insurance. To help sick people, the League set up in 2006 the AIDEA service, first associative system in France totally dedicated to insurance and loan difficulties to provide useful information and good advice;
• Finally, there is also a legal advice service provided by lawyers who can inform you and guide you towards the right steps to take whenever there is a question when the illness has an impact on professional life, for example.

Within the 300 League spaces, spread across the 103 departmental committees in mainland France and overseas, nearly 1,700 League professionals and volunteers provide support to nearly 75,000 beneficiaries concerned each year. “Concretely, the League’s offer for sick people and their loved ones throughout the country is today around 1,800 support and well-being treatments delivered in health establishments and in the city by specifically trained in individual or group sessions” specifies The League Against Cancer.