The importance of aesthetics in cancer patients

A few years ago, Angela learned about the reality of cancer patients through a friend. Since then, he discovered the great void that existed around the aesthetic needs of cancer patients and of the psychological effects that this produced during chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

From that moment he began a project that is now a reality and that has made him dedicate himself body and soul to this project. Currently, she is President and Founder of the Spanish Association of comprehensive restorative aesthetics (AEERI), directed by and for the care of the image and self-esteem of people with cancer.

What is oncological aesthetics?

Counseling this type of patient, in the words of Angela Navarro, requires a priority need for R&D since ««. As important points, it highlights several lines of action:

• Have premises equipped to preserve the privacy from the patients.
• A greater number of professionals with knowledge in psychology and in the aesthetic consequences of cancer treatments.
• Advance in one non-aggressive and adapted cosmetics to the symptoms of these patients.
• Bet on one posticería more advanced, capable of restoring the patient to his / her pre-disease image or so that he / she has the possibility to choose a makeover.

Psychological effects of hair loss during cancer treatment

The impact and changes produced by this disease are manifested at two levels:

• Physical: with reactions such as alopecia, hyperpigmentation or skin irritations, among others.
• Psychological: these physical changes affect a personal, emotional, family and work level.

For this reason, the priority objectives are focused «on minimizing the change of the patient so that he / she recognizes himself, in maintain their self-esteem regarding their physical change and in avoiding rejection and social compassion regarding the disease.

Multidisciplinary work to address the psychological impact of the disease

To understand all the components of the impact that this disease has on a person, the Spanish Association of Comprehensive Reparative Aesthetics (AEERI) has interviewed medical oncologists, dermatologists, psychologists and has lived day to day with patients. Thanks to this, it has been possible create a Guide called “where topics and advice on hair care, image changes, how to treat the skin after the effects and sensitivity to radiation, the psychological aspect of the problem, general advice and medical comments are addressed.

To achieve these objectives, Ángela Navarro raises the need to:

• Train patients in their self-care, health professionals and professionals and specialists in hairdressing and aesthetics. Hence the importance of Workshops promoted by the Association, those attended by cancer patients together with health and aesthetic professionals, which enables an exchange of experiences on the different ways of approaching this problem. For this they have produced different publications in collaboration with Foundations, the General Directorate for Women, of the Community of Madrid, Health Departments of different Autonomous Communities, Hospitals such as Gregorio Marañón, de la Princesa, Rúber Internacional, San Camilo, MD Anderson de Madrid, among others:
  • Courses for aesthetic professionals who want to work with cancer patients.
  • I work with the health ministries of the Autonomous Communities to incorporate image care in the cancer plans.
• Promote research and development (R&D) since, at present, the international market for posticería has major deficiencies: wigs without sanitary and aesthetic control, little perspiration, abrasive glues ... that give the patient the feeling of "going in disguise." For this reason, Ángela's team is working on new wigs that allow more perspiration, hypoallergenic fabrics and with support through new methods, such as ribbons, that avoid the use of glues. Counseling, computer makeover options, With the application of new computer techniques such as virtual simulators, they manage to avoid the patient unnecessary trips or continuous visits to the center. Finally, research in the field of cosmetics specific to these patients: healing components that promote hydration, which they always suffer from as a result of the aggressive treatments to which they are subjected.

Help patients without financial resources

The work of the Spanish Association of Comprehensive Reparative Aesthetics (AEERI) chaired by Angela Navarro is focused on allocate part of its funds to the service of patients with low economic level. However, this small grain of sand is not enough without the involvement of higher levels, organizations and groups close to this reality and the world of health. In this sense, health professionals should become more aware of the psychological impact that physical change produces in cancer patients and take responsibility for the importance of aesthetics and how it can help them in the process of their disease. The collaboration of the world of aesthetics in health programs is vital.

For this, the actions that AEERI proposes are:

• Inform and train patients.
• Carry out R&D on new fabrics, solutions for posticería, hypoallergenic products ...
• Financial aid and financing of treatments for patients with fewer resources.

15% discount for MAPFRE CAJA SALUD clients in the services offered by the Association.