Acting in the prevention and cure of cancer in children and teenagers: this is the proposal of “United by the Cure" (UPC), an initiative that started in 2005, through a partnership between the Desiderata Institute and the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (Ensp/Fiocruz), and which has had Fiotec’s support since 2007. It is a public policy in Rio de Janeiro that identifies the main players involved with the issue and, together with them, defines early diagnosis and access to treatment as focus of the work. The policy is part of the routine of public hospitals that treat cancer in Rio de Janeiro, and is managed by professionals of the Unified Health System (SUS) who work at the pediatric cancer treatment centers of the city, medical organizations and civil society.

It acts on three levels: education, flow and information. Everything starts with the training of health professionals so that they may identify the symptoms of the disease. The second step is the correct referral of the patient: in a case of suspected cancer, he must be treated in reference public hospitals which are partners with the policy within 72 hours. From the suspicion to the confirmation of the diagnosis, all cases are monitored through the United by the Cure Reception Card.

Since its creation, “United by the Cure” has already demonstrated results. Between 2008 and 2012, 1,659 professionals were trained and 691 children and teenagers were referred to the Investigation Centers. Of these, 32% were received by hospitals within 72 hours. The reception index rose to 56% within seven days, and 71% in 15 days. In total, 32 cases were diagnosed with cancer.

Humanization of environments is also part of the treatment

Another important aspect that makes up “United by the Cure” is the quest for quality treatment. The Work Group understood that a welcoming, playful environment was essential to reduce rejection of the treatment and to motivate patients.  For this, designer Gringo Cardia voluntarily created special sceneries for chemotherapy rooms, hospital beds and examination rooms. At the same time, the institute in charge captured resources to transform juvenile treatment spaces in public hospitals that are part of United by the Cure.

The first of the projects was “Carioca Aquarium” – chemotherapy rooms made to look like the seabed – implemented in the Federal Hospital of State Civil Servants, the Federal Hospital of Lagoa and Pediatric Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Within the same context is the “Juvenile Guest House” – a hospital ward specially adapted for teenagers – in Hemorio and “Carioca Submarine”, in Jesus Municipal Hospital, where Gringo Cardia transformed the tomography machine into a submarine and the radiology service into a deep ocean.

The results are already being celebrated by the director of the Desiderata Institute, Roberta Costa Marques. “On average, 30 to 40 children go through the oncology services of the hospitals per month. At Jesus Municipal Hospital, out of the 160 indications for tomography examinations with anesthesia, from July 2012 to March 2013, only four children needed in fact to be anesthetized”, she affirmed.

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*Information: press release of the Desiderata Institute