The first Algarve Breast Cancer Congress will take place at Hotel Vila Galé Lagos on Friday, February 18, between 8.45am and 6pm.
Organised by Lagos-based physiotherapy clinic Tecnifisio, the event aims to provide “empowerment and knowledge to everyone who is suddenly faced with a breast cancer diagnosis.
“We believe that health literacy provides more motivation and commitment to beat a disease, as it demystifies fears and tabus, which are so harmful to our quality of life and well-being,” organisers say.
Citing the American Cancer Society, Tecnifisio says advances in diagnosis and treatment have increased the survival rate of cancer patients.
“However, issues related to cancer treatments, such as momentary or permanent incapacities, remain, with patients feeling the need to seek solutions to increase their quality of life. In an area like oncology, there are two aspects that are constantly changing: conventional treatment and our knowledge about what each of us can do individually to strengthen the effect of those treatments,” Tecnifisio says.
Fourteen speakers have been confirmed at the event, from oncologists to radiologists, physiotherapists and nurses specialising in oncology.
The organising committee features Dr Tânia Camilo, physiotherapist and CEO at Tecnifisio; Dr Jacquelina Tavares, physiotherapist and coordinator of the oncology unit at Tecnifisio; and Dr Conceição Andrade, physiotherapist at Mama Help Lisboa and collaborator at the Champalimaud Foundation.
The event is aimed at cancer patients, their families and health professionals who are not directly linked to oncology but “want to improve their knowledge about the subject”.
Tickets cost €5 with all proceeds going to the Algarve Oncology Association (AOA).
