Emotional support best medicine for cancer patients, say experts

Emotional and social support and better care offered to cancer patients have a link to the mortality rate, a leading psychologist said. Dr. Mariam Alammadi, who is also the founder of Afkarech, was speaking at an event organized by the Social Media Club to raise awareness on breast cancer.

“Good support system is most important for cancer patients. Many types of research across the world have proved the positive impact of emotional and social support on cancer patients,” Dr. Mariam pointed out. The event was organized in collaboration with the Bahrain Cancer Society, UNDP Bahrain, Think Pink Bahrain, Dime Global, Afkarech and Happy Life Coaching under the banner ‘#Deserve Health’ with an aim to raise awareness on identifying cancer symptoms and treatment options.

Ali Sabkar Co-founder and President of Social Media Club, Bahrain, told Tribune, “I would like to thank all the associations for making the Deserve Health Breast Cancer Awareness event a success as this event on this very important topic where each speaker delivered very valuable information and helpful resources, where my lecture was on ‘The Effects Of Social and Emotional Support During Cancer Treatment’.” “Many pieces of research have shown a very positive link between a good support system and mortality rates among patients. Hence, we need to ensure that if a patient does not have a good support network around them they are integrated into support groups and referred to psychologists and psychiatrists for additional support.”