“Path coordinators”, the linchpins in the fight against breast cancer in the Gard

Mesdames Sgard et Gerhardt, ici avec le docteur Eric Legouffe, oncologue. C.S. – Midi Libre

Virginie Sgard and Yolande Gerhardt have been supporting some 185 new patients per year in the department since 2019. This Friday, June 7, the two women were present at the National Days of the "Breast Institutes", these associations which support patients throughout France in their fight against breast cancer.
 

Coming from all over France, there were more than a hundred health professionals (radiologists, surgeons, oncologists) but not only (physiotherapists, laboratory representatives), gathered together around Eric Legouffe, oncologist at the Gard Cancer Institute, this Friday June 7, for the inauguration of the 5th National Days of Breast Institutes in the lounges of the Atria hotel , in Nîmes, with the aim, for two days, of reflecting, exchanging and debating to jointly improve the care of patients affected by breast cancer, particularly in the Gard.

Privileged contact, reassuring reference

Among these participants, Yolande Gerhardt and Virginie Sgard play a fundamental role at their level. "There you have the keystones of the care pathway for women with breast cancer in the  department", begins Eric Legouffe to introduce these two work colleagues.

In parallel with their main activity as a caregiver and nurse within the same Nîmes clinic, the two dedicated women have in fact chosen to exercise the key function of coordinator since 2019. of course" with the sick.

"To overcome cancer, each patient goes from professional to professional. In this ordeal, a referent, a single interlocutor, is essential. To be this privileged interlocutor, this reassuring reference point, such is the mission of these two women who are the guarantee of & rsquo;a peaceful progression of patients in their care pathway", explains Eric Legouffe.

185 new women supported per year

Redirect a patient to a psychologist to best manage their anxieties, recommend a medical tattooist to improve the appearance of a scar, refer them to a wigmaker when hair loss becomes unbearable, answer as best as possible practical questions about side effects and different stages of chemotherapy, and, more generally, inform and reassure patients by email, by telephone or even during an interview face-to-face… Such are – some – essential missions that Yolande Gerhardt and Virginie Sgard agreed to take on several years ago now.

" Alongside the care that targets their illness, we offer these women time and listening. Which allows us in some way to ensure "monitoring" and to detect possible fragilities in these patients. Fragilities that, without this infinitely precious time, would have gone by the wayside! ", analyzes Yolande Gerhard.

Since 2019, Yolande Gerhardt and Virginie Sgard have supported some 185 new patients per year in their breast cancer care journey. A disease which affects, in France, no less than one in 8 women, including 20% ​​aged under 50.

On the program this Saturday, June 8

After an intense inaugural day, this Friday, punctuated by workshops, conferences and even the well-attended assembly. of the French Federation of Breast Institutes (FFIS), held this Saturday, June 8, at the event. a reflection around the « care pathway of tomorrow ». À Through new workshops and round tables, 125 participants, medical, paramedical and supportive care professionals, will reflect together on their ideas. optimizing the care pathways for these women affected by breast cancer in the future (to date, 61,000 new cases are diagnosed each year). ;eacute;e). À 9 am, D. Hoffung will present a progress report on the place of remote monitoring in oncology. À 10:30 a.m., a round table will bring à think about new professions within institutes. À 11:30 a.m., a reflection on the future of health private session co-facilitated by D. Franck, president of the French cancer association, will close this 5th edition of the national days of the Institutes breast.

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