CANCER PATIENTS‘ CANCER PATIENTS‘ ASSOCIATION OF ASSOCIATION OF

SLOVENIA;SLOVENIA;Lung Cancer Support Division

Andreja C. Škufca Smrdel, Marija Vegelj Pirc, Blaž Bajec

SloveniaSlovenia: 2 million inhabitants

in year 2011:in year 2011:Incidence of lung cancer: 1.2041.204Prevalence:2.5252.525Mortality:1.1191.119Cancer Registry of Republic of Slovenia

The first support group in Slovenia has been established in Ljubljana in 1984. Currently 20 support groups of Cancer Patients‘ Association of Slovenia spread all over the country and 2 Info centers for individual peer support.

SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS AT CANCER PATEINTS‘ ASSOCIATION OF SLOVENIA

- Programme is based on a premise that well rehabilitated cancer survivor can be a valuable source if support to another patients facing the similar experience of cancer

- 20 self-help groups in „On the Way to Recovery“ are open for every cancer patient. They meet on monthly basis.

- Individual Cancer Support in Associations‘ Info centers offer individual counselling, information and distribution of booklets to relatives and patients.

- Lung Cancer Support Division

SUPPORT GROUPSSUPPORT GROUPS

Slovenj ● Gradec

● Maribor

Nova Gorica ●

● Izola

● Ljubljana

Koper ●

● Postojna

Ilirska Bistrica ●

Sežana ● ●Ribnica

● Murska Sobota

● Ptuj

● Celje

● Velenje

● Krško

● Kranj

Radovljica ● ● Tržič

Črnomelj ●

● Trbovlje

The first support group in Slovenia has been established in Ljubljana in 1984. Currently 20 support groups are spread all over the country.

The last started in 2013 in Ilirska Bistrica.

Novo● mesto

Each support group is lead by a volunteer team – volunteer coordinator of self-help group (with personal experience of cancer) and professional manager.

Volunteer teams on the supervision meeting 5.3.2008

Support groups carry out their activities in cooperation with the local health institutions.

Support groups provide•regular monthly meetings,•organizing other activities (expert lectures, supervised gym exercises, swimming, awareness activities, hiking, relaxation techniques exercises etc.)

The founding meeting of the first support group intended for all cancer patients, Tržič, 2009

15. ascent to Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia (2864m) for members of support groups

INDIVIDUAL CANCER SUPPORT – INFO CENTRES

Intended for patients (hospitalized and outpatients) with different cancer sites at all stages of treatment and rehabilitation and their relatives.

● Maribor

● Ljubljana

Cancer volunteers at the opening of the first Info Center at the Institute of

Oncology Ljubljana, 20.4.2009

Info center Maribor opening ceremony at the University Medical Centre Maribor, 27.1.2012

The volunteers are available for•conversation,•counseling,•Associations‘ publications.

Info Centre Poster

The Associations‘publications

CONDITIONS TO BE INCLUDED AS A VOLUNTEER TO SELF-HELP PROGRAMME „ON THE WAY TO RECOVERY“

In 30 years guidelines were developed on the basis of Reach to Recovery International Volunteer Breast Cancer Support for volunteers of Cancer Patiens‘ Association of Slovenia. They are:

•Support group in „On the Way to Recovery“ is lead by a volunteer team – volunteer coordinator of self-help group (with personal experience of cancer) and professional manager,

•Volunteer coordinator and individual counsellor • can enter the training programme 2 years after the treatment; • is psychologically and physically healthy, • has successfully completed obligatory introductory training, got a

confirmation of Coordinating commitee of Way to Recovery, received a diploma (as well as the professional manager)

• signes to adhere to the procedures and regularly attends supervisions and trainings, (as well as the professional manager)

SUPPORT DIVISION SPECIALIZED ON LUNG CANCER PATIENTS

On 3 November 2014 a Lung Cancer Support Division was established to act as an advocate group for lung cancer patients, as part of the Cancer Patients Association of Slovenia.

Initiative was lead by Prof Tanja Čufer, MD, PhD and Matjaž Zwitter, MD, PhD.

SUPPORT DIVISION SPECIALIZED ON LUNG CANCER PATEINTS

Members of Coordinating Board include patients and experts as well as relatives:

Predsident of Lung Cancer Support Division:Prof. Tanja Čufer, MD, PhD

Members of the Board:Assoc. Prof. Anton Crnjac, MD, PhD,Gorazd Dominko,Mugdim Ibrahimagić,Peter Koren,Viljem Kovač, MD, PhD,Mirjana Rajer, MD,Anja Simonič, PhD,Živka Škrabar.

SUPPORT DIVISION SPECIALIZED ON LUNG CANCER PATEINTS

Current activities to support lung cancer patients: „How to live with lung cancer?“

Experts from University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, University Medical Centre Maribor and Institute of Oncology Ljubljana produced a programme to support lung cancer patients and their relatives.

Programme is comprised of information on treatment and psychosocial support.

•15 May 2015 – Murska Sobota•November 2015 – Nova Gorica

Other Associations giving support to lung patients, including lung cancer patients in Slovenia:

Pulmonary and Allergic Patients Association of SloveniaSyndicate of Slovenian Asbestosis Patients Association OZA – Association of Patients with Asbestosis

SUPPORT DIVISION SPECIALIZED ON LUNG CANCER PATEINTS

Networking internationally:

http://www.celcapa.net/slovenian/celcapanet/http://www.lungcancereurope.eu/

PERSPECTIVES FOR 2016?PERSPECTIVES FOR 2016?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!