From September, Vila Nova de Famalicão City Council will be offering free Psycho-Oncology consultations to cancer patients and their immediate families who are experiencing difficulties of a psycho-emotional nature at any stage of their illness, including bereavement.

Mental health counsellors will provide the consultations from the Northern Regional Centre of the Portuguese League Against Cancer, with whom the municipality has signed a collaboration agreement to make this service available to the community. 

The consultations will be held at the Be-Ok Space, which is in operation at Famalicão Bus Station, and appointments must be requested from the municipal health services, by calling 252320900 or emailing saude@famalicao.pt.

It should be remembered that cancer is one of the most common diseases in Portugal and is associated with major physical, psychological and social implications. It usually leads to a reduced quality of life and is one of the main health problems of the 21st century. Psycho-Oncology recognises the need for psychological care, in addition to the essential medical care, at the beginning and progression of the disease, for the patient and their immediate family.