President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca yesterday called on the authorities to improve the psychological supervision of healthcare professionals working among cancer patients to ensure they do not suffer burnout.

“I’m not saying it’s not being given at all but it should be a regular service, not given once in a blue moon,” she said.

“Healthcare professionals working with cancer patients can only carry on with their stellar work if their own health is taken care of. Psychosocial support is a part of health and safety in the sector.

“We can’t have professionals who burn out because they’re constantly facing predicaments and, in the process, burn out their families. We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul.”

Ms Coleiro Preca was speaking at Boffa Hospital, in Floriana, on the occasion of World Cancer Day.

Please help these people: after the trauma of losing her mother, this child will risk the trauma of being placed in a home

She recounted a case she came across two weeks ago involving a single mother with cancer who has a 16-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter. “Her doctor is telling her to go to hospital but she won’t go because her daughter is sick. Please help these people: after the trauma of losing her mother, this child will risk the trauma of being placed in a home.

“It’s important to prolong life as much as possible. God forbid we follow what some other countries are considering, which is viewing the option of treatment as a waste of funds.

“We should always try and prolong the life of a cancer patient as much as possible.”

One in three people in Malta develops cancer. There are about 2,000 new cases a year, 944 being men and 964 women.

Over 40 per cent of men and over 50 per cent of women diagnosed with cancer live for at least five years following their diagnosis.

Four booklets on breast, colorectal, prostate and lung cancers have been produced and will be distributed to patients. They will be translated into Maltese shortly.

Who to turn to if you develop cancer

• Action for Breast Cancer Foundation offers psychological support for breast cancer patients and their families and lobbies for better services. Contact: 7777 1806.

• Aurora Support Service is a nurse-led service within the oncology unit, offering chemotherapy information classes and beauty days, when patients can enjoy some pampering. Contact: 7900 0495.

• Europa Donna Malta provides help and support for women going through the trauma of breast cancer and their families. Contact: 9999 4666.

• Hospice Malta provides palliative care and a list of services including day therapy, home care, hydrotherapy and a summer programme for patients’ children. Contact: 2144 0085.

• The Karl Vella Foundation provides educational and psychological support to children disrupted by family illness. Contact: 7944 2050.

• Lumiere Support Group supports patients suffering from blood cancer. Contact: 2545 6000.

• The Ostomy Club supports people with a stoma. Contact: 7986 5432.

• Puttinu Cares provides free accommodation in the UK for child and adult cancer patients. Contact: 7980 9778.