The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology service of the Medical Center is made up of a multidisciplinary team focused on the comprehensive care of pediatric cancer patients.
The approach is made individually and focused on our patients, guaranteeing that the children receive the best diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up process from the medical and care team trained in different countries such as the United States, England and Spain; Our clinical activity is always accompanied by teamwork with social and psychological support professionals who provide the family and the patient with all the support in those aspects that have an impact during the cancer treatment process.
Our service has a highly specialized physical area with 20 beds and exclusively dedicated to the care of children with cancer and blood diseases; In our facilities, the patient is cared for with excellence by a nursing team with extensive experience in the different areas of pediatric oncology care.
Dr. Beatriz Botero, Coordinator of the Oncology Unit of our Institution, highlights that 75% of the patients treated in the service have a diagnosis of Leukemia; in turn, in 2018 there were 15,115 discharges from the service. In addition to this, in the last 4 years there has been an improvement in overall survival compared to the previous five-year period, 61% VS 59%.
In it Medical CenterIt has been realized 618 bone marrow transplants, from 2004 to 2018, of which 213 have been performed in children since 2009; So far in 2019, 42 bone marrow transplants have been performed, of these, 20 have been performed in pediatric patients, says the specialist of the Medical Center.
Currently, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the most frequent types are different in men and women. Cancer begins when cells grow uncontrollably surpassing normal cells, it can be caused by external agents and inherited genetic factors.
Approximately 30% of people with cancer present some of the behavioral and dietary risk factors such as: high body mass index, insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, lack of physical activity and tobacco and alcohol consumption, according to the study carried out. by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the country, it is considered a public health problem due to the high prevalence of oncological cases, in the pediatric population it is the second cause of death; The most common cancer in our country is breast cancer, followed by cervical cancer and prostate cancer. the Institution’s figures are very similar to those of the country. Valle del Cauca is one of the departments with the highest risk for its presentation, says Dr. Beatriz Botero, Coordinator of the Oncology Unit of the Medical Center.
In Colombia, there are medical institutions that offer treatments for the management of the disease with important infrastructures; which is not enough, for the proper development of oncological treatments, it is also required a multidisciplinary team that from their specialties make positive contributions in the recovery period of patients, professionals in charge of different disciplines such as: nutrition, psychology, psychiatry , physiotherapy, among others, that day by day contribute to the good implementation of practices that help strengthen and recover patients accompanied by a vocation of service transmitted with love, closeness and respect.
The Medical Centerdevelops activities that help in the health-disease process of patients, making a difference with activities that integrate family members such as educational activities, psychological and didactic therapies, guided by professionals from various disciplines.
Currently, the Institution has state-of-the-art technology in global health that allows accurate and reliable diagnoses to patients, as in the case of PET CT, a technique in which small amounts of radioactive materials called radiosondes, a special camera, and a computer are used. to help assess the functions of organs and tissues. Positron emission tomography can detect the appearance of an oncological disease before it is evident with other imaging tests, says the coordinator of the Oncology Unit of the Medical Center.
The Oncology Unit of the Medical Center It differs from the others in the country due to its care model, which focuses on the patient and their family, ensuring that the disease process is lived in the best possible way with permanent professional support according to the needs throughout the oncological process.
At the moment, the Institution has focused its attention on the experience of the pediatric oncology patient, being aware that for many months this population is exposed to extensive sessions of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments that begin to add limitations in their quality of life, such as it is school dropout, the result of the long periods of hospitalization that mostly involves having this disease.
Last Monday, July 29, the inauguration of ‘A little while for me’ was held, a space full of magic that will allow the youngest patients of the institution to travel through their imagination. This achievement became a reality with the effort of the team of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit of the Medical Centerwho joined and donated the prizes obtained at the XVII National Congress of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ACHOP) that was held in Barranquilla.
Today this group of professionals allows our immunosuppressed patients to enjoy a different space, full of color, joy, games, imagination and creativity, in the midst of the emotional mix that this area presents in a clinic. Dr. Beatriz Botero, Coordinator of the Oncology Unit, affirms that in the pediatric population it is very important to have recreational spaces for children since they have long-stay hospitalizations, which brings patients out of school. In this playful space our patients will be able to have contact with books, toys, painting activities with the support of experts that will strengthen their skills and add memorable experiences in their lives.
Additionally, a celebration ritual has been created through the ringing of the bell upon reaching the last chemotherapy session, this practice has been developed in order to remind them that they have won the most important fight of their lives, which, with the accompaniment of his family, the assistance and specialized personnel, have reached the end of the process that for several months has marked their lives.
Finally, this commemorative event allows our patients to celebrate life, recognize themselves as heroes, tireless fighting warriors against a disease that with the passage of time can interrupt their dreams, but when that last day arrives, it is undeniably an unforgettable celebration. ; accompanied by applause, good wishes, the costume of the favorite character, the company of the whole family and the assistance team that have lived through the fight shoulder to shoulder with them.
At the Medical Center, we celebrate life because it itself inspires us.