On the occasion of the inauguration day of a new Continuous Care Unit in Hematology, the center is also officially opening a Sports and Cancer Center.
This initiative is supported by the CAMI Sport and Cancer Federation, Laurette Fugain, an association fighting against leukemia, a reference association for practicing physical activity in oncology, and Malakoff Médéric for the development of Sports & Cancer Centers.
“It’s a second one in France.” Professor Frédéric Peyrade, an onco-hematologist at the A. Lacassagne Center, is one of the initiators of the project. “The first Sports and Cancer Center was established in Paris, at Saint Louis.” He reveals that after positive results on patients, they wanted other regions to “benefit” from this project.
Indeed, it appears that after several conducted studies and observations, engaging in physical activity has a physical and psychological impact on the patient. Firstly, it would help reduce the side effects of treatments. Then, regular activity decreases fatigue and provides a positive effect on morale.
But the sooner the physical activity is started after diagnosis, the more effective it proves to be. That is why the A. Lacassagne center is creating the Sports and Cancer Center, which involves installing bicycles in the rooms of the new Antoine Thyss Care Unit.
“I am moved, especially since I did not know that this unit would bear my name.” Following this surprise announcement, Professor Antoine Thyss, head of the Medicine Department, shares how important this project is for the Center but especially for patient care.
The ten rooms of this new care unit, Antoine Thyss, will all be equipped with a bicycle and have follow-up care provided by a coach, allowing patients hospitalized for some time to practice “a bit of sport.”
A highly monitored unit, as entry will be filtered to avoid any risks. Masks, gloves, and gowns will be mandatory for visitors. The air circulating in the rooms will also be filtered by an adapted system. Visits are limited to one person at a time…
“But everything is done so that the patients, mainly the young ones, can entertain themselves and don’t feel isolated,” explains Professor Antoine Thyss. Electronic tablets in the rooms, meals adapted to their desires, the bicycles… All these details are there so that the patient feels as good as possible.
This new care unit has been operational for 10 days. And if the Sports and Cancer Center is a significant “second” in France, eight more should be founded by the end of 2018.
