South Egypt Cancer Institute at Assiut University Organizes Seminar on “Managing Stress and Challenges During the Illness Journey of Cancer Patients”

The South Egypt Cancer Institute at Assiut University held an educational seminar titled “Managing Stress and Challenges During the Illness Journey of Cancer Patients” on Monday, July 21st. The event was part of the university’s ongoing efforts to provide psychological and social support to patients, especially during the critical phases of treatment.

The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, and supervised by Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Mohamed Abou El-Magd, Dean of the South Egypt Cancer Institute; and Dr. Amr Farouk Morad, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development.

The symposium was co-organized by Dr. Ibrahim Abou El Ayoun, Director of the University Oncology Hospital, Dr. Joseph William Faragallah, a consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Marit Ishaq, and Pastor Sadek Massad.

The symposium program included two keynote lectures; the first by Dr. Khaled Fathy, professor of pediatric oncology, entitled "The Journey of Hope and Support for Children with Cancer and their Families," and the second by Dr. Maged Azmy, consultant psychiatrist and director general of the Regional Council for Mental Health, on "Psychological Durability and Resilience." The symposium was organized by Assiut University.

Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy emphasized Assiut University's keenness to provide integrated health care for oncology patients, beyond medical treatment to include psychological, social and spiritual support, which contributes to improving the quality of life and alleviating the suffering of patients.

Dr. Mahmoud Abdel Aleem stressed the importance of providing psychological support to oncology patients, pointing out that mental health is a key pillar in the journey of recovery, and called for the sustainability of such awareness initiatives within regular programs and long-term institutional partnerships that contribute to improving the quality of life of patients.

Dr. Mohamed Abou El-Magd highlighted that the seminar aligns with the Institute’s strategy to strengthen psychological support as an integral component of comprehensive medical care, especially for children with oncology.

In a spiritual reflection, Sheikh Ramadan Gomaa, Head of the Religious Endowments Department in Assiut, spoke about the virtues of patience and faith in alleviating the pain of illness, quoting the verse:  "If I am sick, He will heal me," emphasizing the need to hold on to hope.

Pastor Sadiq Massad emphasized that illness is a trial that requires patience, but God's mercy and the wisdom of doctors open the doors of healing, pointing out that faith is a driving force that helps people endure.

The seminar was attended by a large number of faculty members and nurses, patients and their families, as well as representatives of religious institutions, in a scene that reflects the spirit of solidarity and integration in serving patients.

.