Last weekend we participated in the 16th National Psycho-Oncology Conference, organized at the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk.
The speakers broadly discussed contemporary challenges of psychological support in oncology: from standards of care and communication with patients and families, through issues of intimacy and fertility during illness, to the importance of early palliative care. Considerable attention was devoted to methods for improving quality of life during treatment, including therapeutic approaches that reduce anxiety and tension, ways of coping with pain, and tools that help make sense of the illness experience. Presentations also addressed the specifics of supporting children, adolescents, and their loved ones, supporting them during bereavement, post-rehabilitation, burnout prevention among professionals, and the role of reliable information—even in the era of digital tools and artificial intelligence. A key theme was ensuring the well-being of those providing care.
Participating in the conference was an incredibly valuable experience for us. The knowledge we gained helps us further refine and improve the support we offer to the Foundation's beneficiaries and their loved ones.
