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Ivan Pourmir (medical oncologist)
For oneself or a loved one, the news of a serious illness is always a shock. What should be done in this situation? Doctissimo interviewed Dr. Ivan Pourmir, oncologist, to enlighten us.
How to react when you learn that you have cancer? Or when this announcement is made to his sister, his brother, his mother…? To better understand how the different stages take place from the suspicion of the disease to the announcement of the diagnosis, we interviewed Dr Ivan Pourmir, oncologist at the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital.
Do not panic at the appearance of a lump
In a certain number of cases, the discovery of cancer begins with the palpation of a lump, which immediately generates a feeling of anxiety or even panic. “In the field of health, but in life in general too, it is never good to panic” explains Dr. Ivan Pourmir. The presence of a lump does not necessarily mean it is cancer. However, it is recommended to consult your doctor to carry out tests to determine the presence or absence of a malignant tumor.
“In some cases, it is the patients who ask to know all the eventualities” adds the doctor. “This reassures them to have control of things, we can therefore suggest the possibility of a cancer before making the diagnosis, explaining clearly that it is only a possibility, but that only more in-depth examinations will be able to tell.”
Being accompanied (or not) when the illness is announced
If the diagnosis of cancer is confirmed, the patient learns of their illness during a dedicated consultation. “It is important to have questioned your patient in order to determine what he or she is able to hear and perceive. Ivan Pourmir again exposes.
“Some patients are in absolute denial, they don’t want to hear that they are affected by the disease. It’s a defense mechanism and it is useless, in my opinion, to tell them the truth. The presence of a loved one in consultation is useful at this time because it allows you to speak to both people and to clearly explain the facts to the person accompanying you.
Others, on the contrary, want to protect their loved ones and refuse their presence at that time. “It is a wish that must also be respected. Each situation is unique and we must always ask ourselves what is the best way to help the patient in such a difficult moment. This happens through what she tells us, but also through what she expresses through her non-verbal language“ our expert further indicates.
Request a second opinion in complete transparency
When diagnosed with an illness as serious as cancer, some patients may want to seek a second medical opinion. “It is entirely possible to do this, the best is simply to proceed with complete transparency” recommends the oncologist. “This allows the first service to exchange all information with the second and avoid any risk of confusion due to missing information on the patient’s state of health.
Supporting your loved one, without getting exhausted
Finally, the illness affects one of your loved ones, supporting them is essential. “Being surrounded is always desirable in the face of illness” confirms the specialist. “On the other hand, you have to find the right way to do it, without being in control and this is often the case when loved ones are in the medical field.”
It is also essential to see cancer as a chronic disease, which will take time. “Apart from certain cases of devastating cancers where the patient dies quickly, it is more of an illness that will last. Loved ones must organize themselves to take turns and take time out too, so as not to become exhausted. It is essential to be present for your loved one in the long term.“concludes the doctor.
Slide: Misconceptions about cancer