1
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Ferrari A, Perillo T, Milano GM, Silva M, Rutigliano C, Salvo A, Livellara V, Conte M, Coccoli L, Amore E, Pierobon M, Vietina F, Pagani Bagliacca E, Spinelli M, Massei MS, Massetti V, Legnani E, Puglisi I, Zucchetti G, Quarello P. The power of art and the powers of adolescents with cancer: Age-specific projects at Italian pediatric oncology centers. TUMORI JOURNAL 2024; 110:218-226. [PMID: 38591573 DOI: 10.1177/03008916241245005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
This article describes the oncology programs developed in Italy for adolescents and young adults with cancer, with a specific focus on the local projects created in pediatric oncology centers. A common feature of such projects is the emphasis on creative and artistic activities and laboratories (involving music, photography, novel writing, fashion design, and so on) designed to give young patients innovative means of expression.This article highlights the amazing powers of adolescents involved in these projects: the power to produce beautiful things in a place that is not normally associated with the idea of beauty; the power to make their doctors smile and grasp the profound sense of life; the power to make hospitals become places for producing culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Perillo
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rutigliano
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Salvo
- Hematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Virginia Livellara
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Coccoli
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Amore
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Pierobon
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Division, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Vietina
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology Division, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Pagani Bagliacca
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Fondazione MBBM, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Spinelli
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Fondazione MBBM, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Speranza Massei
- Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Massetti
- Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Legnani
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglisi
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Zucchetti
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Quarello
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Division, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Torino, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Patriccioli A, Signoroni S, Massimino M. I was only sixteen. TUMORI JOURNAL 2024; 110:209-211. [PMID: 38031728 DOI: 10.1177/03008916231214220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
This short piece describes a new project developed by the adolescent patients with cancer involved in the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy. This is a scheme dedicated to young cancer patients with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. "I was only sixteen" is a ballad, written in English by the patients, that became a song with the help of professional musicians (and among them international star Tony Hadley, former frontman of Spandau Ballet). This song sounds like hymn to life for teenagers with cancer in the world. It emphasizes again the value of giving young patients novel creative ways to express themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Patriccioli A, Signoroni S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. "As if by magic": Young cancer patients become magician's apprentices, finding magic in their lives again during their hospital treatments. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30268. [PMID: 36815613 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Silva M, Rizzo S, Patriccioli A, Sironi G, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Of soldiers and heroes. TUMORI JOURNAL 2023; 109:141-142. [PMID: 36314256 DOI: 10.1177/03008916221132590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Rizzo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Patriccioli A, Chisari M, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Playing cards designed by young cancer patients with the Youth Project in Milan. TUMORI JOURNAL 2022; 108:189-190. [PMID: 35260001 DOI: 10.1177/03008916221080189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This short piece briefly describes a creative project undertaken by a group of adolescent and young adult cancer patients as part of our Youth Project (a scheme dedicated to young cancer patients with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs, including the organization of artistic activities). In this project, young cancer patients designed their personalized playing cards, with kings receiving chemo, queens wearing bandanas, jacks dressed as nurses, and jokers as doctors. The playing cards, with the patients' own words, contain a little bit of these young cancer patients' stories in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Chisari
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Silva M, Facchetti G, Patriccioli A, Grampa P, Casanova M, Livellara V, Signoroni S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. "Based on a true story" podcast: a journey into the world of young patients with cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 108:512-516. [PMID: 34841974 DOI: 10.1177/03008916211062641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article describes a creative project undertaken by a group of adolescent and young adult patients with cancer as part of the Milan's Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young patients with cancer with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The project was based on audio recordings and focused on the theme of "the journey," such as a holiday or an adventure, or as a metaphor of the cancer experience. The podcast installments were published on the main streaming platforms. Talking about their disease and how they feel is of importance for young patients to process their feelings surrounding the cancer experience and to find the inner resources they need to facilitate coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfelice Facchetti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Grampa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Livellara
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Patriccioli A, Silva M, Bonvicini MD, Massimino M. My mind is still mine: a self-portrait in a photography project for adolescents and young adults with cancer. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:107. [PMID: 34261473 PMCID: PMC8279029 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00789-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary describes the unusual self-portrait contributed by a 26-year-old receiving treatment for relapsing medulloblastoma to a photography project undertaken by a group of patients as part of the Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young cancer patients with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The article briefly describes how creative projects can play an important part in giving young people with cancer new ways to tell their stories and express their feelings. There is still a limited understanding of the specific needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer, and it is important to draw attention to them and to the need to devise a person-centered approach to cancer patients in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Davide Bonvicini
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 -20133, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Patriccioli A, Silva M, Casanova M, Signoroni S, Massimino M. Looking out to see within: A photography project developed by adolescents with cancer during the COVID pandemic. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28948. [PMID: 33629445 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Patriccioli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Silva M, Barretta F, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Casanova M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Bergamaschi L, Gattuso G, Sironi G, Adduci A, Grampa P, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Adolescents with cancer on privacy: Fact-finding survey on the need for confidentiality and space. TUMORI JOURNAL 2021; 107:452-457. [PMID: 33509050 DOI: 10.1177/0300891620988357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer diagnosis and related treatment can limit young patients' privacy. Their need for private physical and psychological spaces can be impeded by limited freedom, e.g., sharing hospital rooms with others and exposing their body to their parents and doctors. METHODS We conducted a survey among young patients of our center to investigate how their perception of privacy changed after being diagnosed with cancer and their need for hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy. A questionnaire with 16 items was developed by the staff involving psychologists and physicians. The relevance of changes before and after the cancer diagnosis was assessed by calculating two scores indicating the situation before and after diagnosis for each answer, as well as a delta score. RESULTS Between May and June 2020, the questionnaire was completed by 60 patients aged 16-24 years. The median delta scores describing the changes before and after diagnosis were -8 points for perception of privacy, indicating a significant decrement of the level of privacy perceived. A major issue was the constant presence of parents being perceived as intrusive. Concerning hospital dedicated physical spaces and time for patients to enjoy their privacy, respondents requested dedicated spaces (50% of patients) and opportunities to have private interviews with medical personnel (88%). CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a snapshot of how young people with cancer perceive the impact of the disease and its treatment on their privacy with the restrictions imposed on their individual freedom. Patients' personal needs must be taken into consideration to adopt appropriate measures and better organize wards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Barretta
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Annarita Adduci
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Grampa
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Pagani Bagliacca E, Veneroni L, Silva M, Gasparini P, Signoroni S, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Casanova M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Experiencing Social Isolation (Even in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown): Teachings Through Arts from Adolescents with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 10:346-350. [PMID: 32809889 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The article describes how adolescents with cancer utilized an artistic approach to discuss about their social isolation caused by disease and treatment. With the help of professionals, 17 young patients closed in their isolation room described their ideal room (a bit real, a bit of a fantasy place) producing texts and images, subsequently put together into a book. In these days when people are forced to social isolation by the lockdown related to corovavirus disease 2019 pandemic, young patients teach us meaningful life lessons: how social confinement can become an opportunity to focus on yourself, and what is really important in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Gasparini
- Tumor Genomics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Casanova M, Pagani Bagliacca E, Silva M, Patriarca C, Veneroni L, Clerici CA, Spreafico F, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Meazza C, Podda M, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Bergamaschi L, Gattuso G, Sironi G, Massimino M, Ferrari A. How young patients with cancer perceive the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic in Milan, Italy: Is there room for other fears? Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28318. [PMID: 32240567 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in Italy, in particular in the Milan focal point, required drastic measures and led to panic in the population. While in our center we did not change our approach to the treatment of our young patients with cancer, we developed a qualitative survey to assess their perception of the risk and level of stress. The survey showed that a relatively large proportion of young patients felt personally at risk of severe complications. We believe that we need to adequately inform our patients, focusing on hygienic measures and personal protection and prompt reporting of any suspicious symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Patriarca
- Pathology Unit, St. Anna Hospital (ASST Lariana), Como, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Podda
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Pagani Bagliacca E, Sironi G, Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Signoroni S, Casanova M, Cattaneo F, Chiaravalli S, Puma N, Gattuso G, Bergamaschi L, Schiavello E, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Tumorial: Video Tutorials Produced by Young Patients on the Youth Project to Voice Their Experiences. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 9:436-440. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Cattaneo
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Puma
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gattuso
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- SSD Clinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Evolving Services for Adolescents with Cancer in Italy: Access to Pediatric Oncology Centers and Dedicated Projects. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 9:196-201. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2019.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Proserpio T, Pagani Bagliacca E, Sironi G, Clerici CA, Veneroni L, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Spirituality and Sustaining Hope in Adolescents with Cancer: The Patients' View. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 9:36-40. [DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2019.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tullio Proserpio
- Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Sironi
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- SSD Clinical Psychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Veneroni L, Signoroni S, Silva M, Gaggiotti P, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Proserpio T, Massimino M. Loop: there's no going back: A Graphic Novel by Adolescent Cancer Patients on the Youth Project in Milan. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2019; 40:505-511. [PMID: 31165370 DOI: 10.1007/s10912-019-09561-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present paper describes the story of the development of a graphic novel-a story about superheroes-written by adolescent cancer patients on the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milan (Italy). Nineteen patients from fifteen to twenty-five years old (fifteen receiving treatment for their cancer, four who had recently completed their treatments) participated in a four month creative writing laboratory managed by a professional teacher. The output from the writing laboratory was a written text that was used as the script for a graphic novel drawn by professional cartoonists and working together with the patients. Through their story, adolescent patients succeeded in voicing their dreams and fears. It was the adolescent patients themselves who explained how they had each tried to bring out the superhero inside them. This project describes the amazing powers of adolescents with cancer and opens a precious window on their inner world, enabling us to gain a better understanding of what they are really thinking and feeling through their own words.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Unit for Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer constitute a particular group of patients with unique features, whose needs during and after treatment are poorly met. A standardized model of care for them has yet to be established, as neither the pediatric nor the adult oncology systems seamlessly fit their needs. Regardless of the setting in which they are treated, their health care providers should be aware of the impact that the disease and its treatments have on these especially vulnerable patients. Simple ways of improving the AYA experience should be considered: reducing isolation through connections with peers, adapting the staff's approach to the emotional and developmental needs of this age group, and modifying the hospital environment making it more age appropriate. Commitment of national governments is valuable; building and sharing international experience will accelerate advances in clinical care, education, and research. Further progress in the care of AYA cancer patients is still needed to improve their outcomes.
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Signoroni S, Veneroni L, Pagani Bagliacca E, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Clerici CA, Massimino M, Ferrari A. "Summer is you": Adolescents and young adults with cancer sing about their desire for summer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27630. [PMID: 30677216 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Creative spirit and art are used as part of the Youth Project in Milan, a program dedicated to adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. The "Summer is you" music project involved 45 patients (15-26 years old): with professional help, the patients wrote music and lyrics, sang their song, and recorded a video clip, sharing with us not only their hopes and fears, but also their romantic encounters and their urge to travel (https://youtu.be/Q5FSCMUVg0E). This project exploited the power of music to bring young people with cancer together in a novel form of support that can complement the more conventional psychological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Signoroni
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ferrari A, Veneroni L, Romani A, Pagani Bagliacca E, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Signoroni S, Massimino M. Diary of a journey to a faraway galaxy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2019; 105:NP32-NP34. [PMID: 31023193 DOI: 10.1177/0300891619844326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article describes a brief account written by a girl treated with chemotherapy and surgery for an ovarian germ cell tumor. The brief novel was conceived in the context of the Youth Project of Milan, dedicated to helping adolescent and young adult cancer patients socialize and express themselves through group activities that focus on art and creativity. It describes the scenery of a new galaxy and is replete with images and metaphors that recall the experience of receiving anticancer treatment, touching on emotional themes including desire, isolation, fear, and hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Romani
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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From a story of pain, a tale of love (for patients and science). TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 104:NP1. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Ciceri D, Rosati E, Massimino M, Ferrari A. From the seventh floor to seventh heaven. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:529-530. [DOI: 10.1177/0300891618805655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Ciceri
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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21
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Mascarin M, Ferrari A. The concept of friendship in adolescents with cancer: Reflections and experiences. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:5-11. [PMID: 30131014 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618792464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer can erupt in an adolescent's life, damaging his or her multidimensional balance with its burden of physical suffering, changes in appearance, and anxiety, interrupting their activities, keeping them away from school, and isolating them socially. It is crucially important for adolescents with cancer to be able to feel the same as before, to feel they belong to a group of schoolmates. This is not always easy to achieve. Their peers sometimes lack the necessary resources to treat adolescents with cancer as normal ones, responding instead with pity or avoidance. This article discusses the concept of friendship in adolescents with cancer, based on direct experience of being with them, personal reflections, and texts chosen and shared with the patients, as part of the cultural activities dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer at the Youth Area of the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, and the Youth Project at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Mascarin
- 1 AYA and Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- 2 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Gaggiotti P, Veneroni L, Signoroni S, Silva M, Chisari M, Casanova M, Chiaravalli S, Sironi G, Clerici CA, Proserpio T, Massimino M, Ferrari A. "What shall I do when I grow up?" Adolescents with cancer on the Youth Project in Milan play with their imagination and photography. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:193-198. [PMID: 30117377 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618792466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adolescents diagnosed with cancer have to temporarily stop pursuing several vital needs and making plans for the future. The Youth Project in Milan, Italy, focuses on such issues in young cancer patients' personal lives. Uncertainty about the future had already emerged in several artistic projects designed to help these patients voice their emotions. METHODS We describe a project revolving around the question "What shall I do when I grow up?" Twenty-seven 15- to 26-year-old patients wrote a brief account of what they hoped to do as adults. Using theatrical costumes, they then dressed up in their chosen role for a photo shoot with a well-known professional photographer. The results were published in one of Italy's main national dailies. RESULTS Participants reacted differently: some lightheartedly, others more seriously. They often expressed the wish to help others, desiring to return the support and protection they had received as patients. Another common theme concerned their need for normality. CONCLUSIONS By writing about their dreams, these patients gave their doctors a glimpse of their inner world. The project proved an important complement to more conventional forms of psychosocial support and interaction with young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Gaggiotti
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- 2 Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Chisari
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Chiaravalli
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sironi
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,3 Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Psychology Section, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- 4 Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- 1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Being diagnosed with cancer in adolescence generally has important emotional consequences: adolescent cancer patients need to be seen as special cases with particular medical and psychosocial needs. This is especially true when a young patient is faced with a progressive, incurable disease. Herein, we report the story of a 17-year-old girl with a metastatic refractory soft tissue sarcoma who tells her dream to the psychologist of the ward. Telling this narrative is the opportunity to discuss the complex topic of how adolescent cancer patients adapt to the terminal stage of their disease; for example, the patient needs to talk to someone about their fear of dying; the healthcare operators need to be able properly listen and communicate; the patient's trust in the future despite their clinical condition; the necessity to leave space for hope; the useful role of the imagination sphere; the issue of whether and how to tell a person who is terminally ill the truth about their condition.
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Cooperation between in-hospital psychological support and pastoral care providers: obstacles and opportunities for a modern approach. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 104:243-251. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The meaning that patients with cancer attribute to life influences their expectations and their attitudes to the disease and its treatment. Over the centuries, religion has commonly been the answer encoded by the social setting when it came to matters of life and death. The present article analyzes the historical grounds for forms of cooperation between the scientific disciplines that focus on mental health and the approach of religion, centered on the Italian situation. Such cooperation was hard to imagine in the past, but the situation has changed considerably and cooperation is not only possible but extremely desirable. Acknowledgment of their spiritual needs helps patients to battle with their disease. The care of patients should include catering for their spiritual needs by ensuring the constant presence of a chaplain on hospital wards.
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Signoroni S, Veneroni L, Gaggiotti P, Clerici CA, Casanova M, Proserpio T, Silva M, Massimino M, Ferrari A. Comments on: The social phenomenon of "Christmas Balls," the song of the adolescent patients of the Youth Project. TUMORI JOURNAL 2018; 105:441-442. [PMID: 29714654 DOI: 10.1177/0300891618763210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Signoroni
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Proserpio
- Pastoral Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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A reflection on the work of Gianni Bonadonna from the viewpoint of the global challenge of adolescents and young adults with cancer. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 103:489-494. [PMID: 28967089 DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs - ages 15 to 39) constitute approximately 40% of the world's population and contribute an estimated one million new cases of cancer annually, the great majority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries (HICs) cancer is the commonest cause of disease-related death in AYAs, though overall 5-year survival rates now exceed 80%. A very different circumstance likely holds in LMICs, but accurate assessments are not readily available.Breast cancer accounts for 40% of tumours in female AYAs and this age group includes the peak incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma. The late Professor Gianni Bonadonna contributed importantly to improved survival in patients with these two diseases. Accordingly, he would be justifiably proud of the advances in AYA oncology that are being made in Italy, especially the impact of his colleagues at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (INT). The initiatives of the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Pediatrica and the Società Italiana Adolescenti con Malattie Onco-ematologiche are particularly noteworthy, with the accomplishment of productive collaboration between paediatric and adult cancer care providers serving as a model for other countries to emulate.Exporting these advances can be successful through the vehicle of "twinning": establishing sustainable cooperation between institutions in HICs and partners in LMICs. Colleagues in Monza and at INT have been leaders in such programmes for decades. Cancer in AYAs remains a global challenge to which Gianni Bonadonna surely would have risen with enthusiasm and leadership while securing measurable achievements.
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Ferrari A, Marino S, Gaggiotti P, Garavaglia V, Silva M, Veneroni L, Massimino M. Shout in fury but smile at life: A portrait of an adolescent with cancer on the Youth Project in Milan. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28453884 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Sefora Marino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | | | | | - Matteo Silva
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Itlay
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Andrea Ferrari: Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Andrea Ferrari: Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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29
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Cancer in adolescence - the girlfriend's story. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 104:NP1-NP2. [PMID: 29048707 DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Winners' Cup: A National Football Tournament Brings Together Adolescent Patients with Cancer from all over Italy. TUMORI JOURNAL 2017; 103:e25-e29. [DOI: 10.5301/tj.5000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Società Scientifiche Italiane Insieme per gli Adolescenti con Malattie Onco-ematologiche (SIAMO) is an Italian nationwide scheme that focuses on adolescent patients with cancer. Some of its activities include promoting dedicated local projects at the various oncology centers all over the country and organizing events to improve awareness regarding cancer in adolescence. It is with these aims in mind that it organized the Winners' Cup, a football tournament between Italian adolescents who had (or had had) pediatric cancers. There were 144 young people 15 to 24 years old who arrived from 16 different treatment centers around the country to take part in the tournament and share their stories. Such an event had never been attempted before, in Italy at least. The Winners' Cup was a great success and an opportunity to focus attention on the particular clinical, psychological, and social needs of cancer patients in this age group.
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Ferrari A, Gaggiotti P, Silva M, Veneroni L, Magni C, Signoroni S, Casanova M, Luksch R, Terenziani M, Spreafico F, Meazza C, Clerici CA, Massimino M. Searching for Happiness. J Clin Oncol 2017; 35:2209-2212. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.72.8733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ferrari
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Gaggiotti
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Silva
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Veneroni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Magni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Signoroni
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Casanova
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Luksch
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Terenziani
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Meazza
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Alfredo Clerici
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Andrea Ferrari, Paola Gaggiotti, Matteo Silva, Laura Veneroni, Chiara Magni, Stefano Signoroni, Michela Casanova, Roberto Luksch, Monica Terenziani, Filippo Spreafico, Cristina Meazza, Carlo Alfredo Clerici and Maura Massimino, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori; and Carlo Alfredo Clerici, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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