[Information and support to cancer patients. Experience from a course for young cancer patients at the Montebello Center]

Abstract

The Montebello Centre offers courses for cancer patients from the whole country. The intention is to improve the patients' quality of life and ability to cope through information, group discussions and various kinds of activities. During Easter 1991 the Centre arranged a course for young people. An oncologist and a psychiatrist served as teachers and group participants, and offered individual consultations. Most of the patients had received insufficient information about their cancer. The period after end of active treatment was experienced as particularly distressing due to psychological reactions. The establishment of more self-help groups, and contact with already established groups, seem to be valuable psychosocial interventions.