Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) -- Global Exchange to Brazil 2005 Participant Story


	2005 PW Global Exchange to Brazil Participant Story Skin Cancer Clinic By Sue Ella Rich

	One might expect to find a day care, a food pantry, a variety of service organizations meeting, mission collection items, and/or a variety of classes being conducted in a church facility, but it was most unexpected to find a fully staffed and equipped skin cancer clinic in full operation.

	Dr. Carlos Coelho explains how skin cancer is a prevalent problem for the immigrants of Europe that live in the harsh sunlight of Brazil. Photo by Laura Lee We observed such a clinic operating in a church called Igracia Presbyteriana in Vila Velha, Brazil. This clinic was set up in response to the increasing numbers of individuals with diagnosed skin cancers as seen and treated by Dr. Carlos Coelho, a practicing dermatologist in the area. Dr. Coelho notes that many of the patients are workers in nearby mountainous regions, and are of German and Italian origin with a propensity for sensitivity to the sun's rays. Dr. Coelho, in addition to practicing medicine, has taught in the medical school at the nearby university. He began taking medical students with him on scheduled trips to the mountains to examine and treat individuals who would not come to his office due to distance and loss of work.

	Dr. Coelho noticed that the number of cases for all ages and stages of disease continued to increase in the region. He brought his concern to his local church and asked for their assistance in providing better, more consistent treatment for patients with skin cancers. He contacted other churches in the area to share his concerns and discuss possible solutions for diagnosis and treatment of ongoing cases. An ecumenical team was formed and a plan to use one of the churches as a clinic site for examination, diagnosis and treatment was developed. The Presbyterian, Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches of the area came together in full support of the project. The project became a reality in 2002. Dr. Coelho's church was chosen as the clinic site. Eleven churches are now involved in the cooperative project.

	This woman explains her condition to medical students who screen patients at the clinic. Photo by Laura Lee The clinic is conducted every first Saturday of the month, with approximately 180 patients scheduled each month. Dr. Coelho, along with other local doctors, students from the medical school, nurses and staff from the local public health department and a host of church members are on hand to interview, examine, diagnose and treat all of the patients as condition indicates. All cases requiring treatment are treated with the exception of major surgical cases requiring hospitalization. Persons needing evaluation and/or treatment call ahead to make an appointment. All those working at the clinic are volunteers. The doctors provide the medical equipment used. Churches alternate providing services each clinic Saturday, though the clinic is held at the same church each time. One team provides food and serves the volunteers throughout the day. Others assist with the interview process and treatment room assignments, assist and escort patients, conduct patient and caregiver education, schedule for follow-up treatment, assist medical staff as necessary, and provide any other required services. Referrals for more radical treatment are made as required.

	A brief worship service is held with all staff, patients and family members prior to the beginning of clinic activity. This provides a most-inspiring and encouraging beginning to a long, tedious, fearful and sometimes uncomfortable day for everyone. It was uplifting for us to see the shared concern and hope for improvement through faith and ministry in action. To date, thousands of patients have been treated. The original intent was to provide treatment to residents in the local community and region, but now the service has been extended to include five surrounding towns and regions. A large fundraising effort is underway for building a new shelter.

	These volunteers helped in the clinic on the day that the Global Exchange participants visited. Photo by Laura Lee This is a vital service to the people of this region. Many individuals with skin cancer would go untreated and many lives would end too soon if this medical care was not being provided. The dedicated physicians, nurses, medical students and other volunteers need our prayers.



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2005 PW Global Exchange to Brazil Participant Story

Skin Cancer Clinic