The bell was officially unveiled on October 9. The group of invited guests included representatives of state institutions, university authorities, medical consultants, heads of departments. The event was hosted by Dr Jacek Sieńko, the Head of the 2nd Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology and Anastazja Więckiewicz, the Director of Duchess Anna Mazowiecka Hospital, where the department is located.
Let this sound bring hope
Fighting cancer is one of the most difficult experiences a person can face. When the disease occurs during pregnancy or at the time of family planning, patients need special support, knowledge and a sense of security.
“The bell is supposed to give them strength and remind them that each stage is important in combating the disease, and the goal is reached step by step, while overcoming subsequent challenges,” emphasized Katarzyna Gulczyńska, the President of the “Beat Cancer” (Pokonaj Raka) Foundation, who donated the Bell of Life to our department.
Ringing the bell is not only a sign that the patient has successfully completed a stage of treatment or overcome cancer. It is also an expression of the commitment of loved ones and medical teams who support patients through the entire treatment process.
“We hear a lot of sounds at our hospital every day, but from now on, there is one more: the sound of the bell of life. It symbolizes the courage of medical staff, families and loved ones in accompanying the patient. Hope, because it allows us to believe that even in the most difficult moment, it is worth looking forward to the future. Finally, the joy of life, because we fight for life in this hospital every day. I hope that this bell will ring as often as possible in this hospital,” said Anastazja Więckiewicz, the Director of the hospital on Karowa Street.
Acknowledgements for joint efforts to improve the health of mothers and children
The hospital department on Karowa Street has been dealing with patients with reproductive organ cancers for many years, including oncological treatment during pregnancy. On the occasion of the unveiling of the bell, its Head, Dr Jacek Sieńko thanked all those involved in the development of gynecological oncology, emphasizing that the establishment of a center providing comprehensive care for pregnant women with cancer required the cooperation and determination of many specialists, including neonatology and perinatology ones. However, this effort brought an invaluable effect in the form of opportunities to save the health and lives of mothers and their children at the highest level.
Dr Tomasz Maciejewski, the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Health, joined in expressing his appreciation.
“Thank you for developing gynecology, making it more modern and versatile,” said the Deputy Minister. “May this bell ring here as often as possible, emphasizing the effort and courage of patients, their families and medical staff.”
Aleksandra Kocot, a patient of the department who learned that she had cancer when she was pregnant with her seventh child, also thanked the hospital's medical staff for their professional care, commitment and support. Fortunately, he has already undergone oncological treatment.
“This companionship, just being there, gives you courage to move forward and to make good decisions. Because every decision lined with fear is a bad decision, and thanks to you, this fear is much smaller,” she said, visibly touched.
Cooperation leads to the best results in oncology
“This is the first bell of this kind in teaching hospitals of the Medical University of Warsaw, which is why it holds special significance,” emphasized Prof. Rafał Krenke, the Rector of WUM. “As a university that educates future doctors, we can make our students even more aware of the complexity of cancer treatment during pregnancy and the enormous responsibility associated with saving the health and life of both the mother and the child.”
The key to success in oncology lies in interdisciplinary cooperation, which is why Professor Krenke emphasized the importance of the agreement signed between our university and Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology, that provides WUM students and scientists with access to modern therapeutic methods and research conducted at the institute.
“Together, we pursue one goal: increasing the effectiveness of oncological treatment, providing patients with the best chance of recovery and a normal life.”
Prof. Mariusz Bidziński, a national consultant in the field of gynecological oncology, also drew attention to the importance of this cooperation.
“Pregnant women with cancer and their families are always under enormous stress, so providing them with proper care is extremely important for the entire medical community. I am glad that such a bridge was created between WUM and the National Institute of Oncology. This bell is also a symbol of this bond.”
Together for pregnant women with cancer
The unveiling of the bell was accompanied by a meeting devoted to the activities of the INCIP (International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy) and the Polish group within the INCIP network – Advisory Board on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy International. These groups bring together researchers and doctors from around the world to improve the care, diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases in pregnant women.
“The mission of our meeting is to show that the old paradigm, according to which cancer diagnosis during pregnancy meant it had to be terminated, is now a thing of the past. Today, the vast majority of neoplasms can be effectively treated also in pregnant patients, thanks to which healthy children are born, while minimizing the side effects of therapy and without worsening the maternal prognosis,” explained Dr Jacek Sieńko.
The special guest of the event was Prof. Frédéric Amant from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. Professor Amant initiated an international research collaboration on cancers during pregnancy, which developed into the INCIP network. During the meeting, the guest from Leuven shared the most important clinical tips in a situation where cancer contributed to complications in pregnancy.
“When we started our research in 2005, there was actually little evidence and data on the management of cancer in pregnant women. Due to the lack of data, many pregnancies were terminated, maternal treatment was delayed or premature births occurred. Of course, this is not beneficial for either the mother or the child. Therefore, the contribution of our group was to demonstrate that children actually tolerated the effects of chemotherapy quite well and that we could safely administer chemotherapy during pregnancy.” said Prof. Frédéric Amant.
Donating the Bells of Life to hospitals is part of an effort to promote emotional support for cancer patients. So far, 32 such bells have been hung throughout Poland. The initiatve to donate one of them to the 2nd Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology was led by Dr Elżbieta Wojciechowska-Lampka, an oncologist, a member of the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP), a member of the Advisory Board on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy International, and a co-founder of ABCIP Poland and the “Owl Eyes” (Sowie Oczy) Association.
In addition to those aforementioned, the event was also attended by: Bartłomiej Chmielowiec, Patient Ombudsman, Prof. Paweł Włodarski, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr Beata Jagielska, the Director of Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Institute of Oncology – National Research Institute, Prof. Bronisława Pietrzak, the Consultant in the field of obstetrics and gynecology for the Mazovian Voivodeship, Prof. Krzysztof Czajkowski, the former Head of the 2nd Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology WUM.
