1. Cancer: How does character and emotional behavior affect it’s recovery 3
Cancer: How does character and emotional behavior affect its recovery
San Jorge Children’s hospital was founded as a general hospital in 1962. On December,
1998 the United Medical Corporation, Inc. took the hospital and transformed it on the first
hospital in the private hospital industry specialized for kids. With Dr. Pedro Rosselló and
medical director, Dr. Manuel Gomez Disdier made this dream come true for thousands of
children around the island. With the affiliation of the Pavia Hospital they developed strategies to
encounter the services that are making this hospital successful. It counts with the following
services: Pediatric Intensive Care, Emergency Pedriatic Services, Induction Rooms, among
others. In 1994 San Jorge takes possession of the first CT SCAN, making it one of the most
competitive on the market. On this same year they continue building new facilities and develop
medical services for patients who lack economical stability, given the name of San Jorge
Children’s Foundation. They also count with a diabetes center that helps children get through
the disease by providing activities and providing economic help for their parents. They donated
around twenty four insulin bombs for several patients in need and provided training among 450
schools around the island for teachers and professionals about the management of a diabetic
young child. On 2008 San Jorge made an investment of around 2 million dollars to open it’s
doors to the no MRI center for children and adult. Finally San Jorge counts with one the most
complete Oncological Services among the island and is known for curing eighty percent of
young oncological patients. The hospital is mainly known for recognizing the importance of the
family on every patient’s case, for this reason parents and such are also part of the health care
their children are given.

2. Cancer: How does character and emotional behavior affect it’s recovery 4
On a daily basis we are exposed to different situations that can lead us to take a certain
attitude or behavior towards it, but it is up to us to choose the kind of character we think
necessary in order to solve or get through whatever challenge or obstacle that's intervening in
our journey. This paper will demonstrate a concrete example of how a positive or negative
behavior can affect our well being or recovery of any disease, in this case, cancer.
As you may know cancer is a terrible disease scientifically explained as the uncontrollable
growth of abnormal cells in the body. These patients not only have delicate immune system, but
they are also emotionally affected by the severeness of their state. As volunteer of the San
Jorge Children's Hospital in Santurce, I, had the privilege to observe and have a close glance at
several cases in which their emotional behavior influenced their state and recovery.
As well observed and scientifically proven, negative attitude can influence one way or
another the recovery of the patient. On the hospital, the oncological patients varied in ages from
three to eighteen. The type of cancer they carried also varied (not all couldn’t be revealed do to
the hospital’s confidential terms). Luckily, all of these patients counted with an amount of
different social activities, including games, movies and arts and crafts among others. But most
importantly throughout my observation I could see these people counted with a great emotional
support not only from professionals, but from their loved ones.
As a result of the observation it turned out that younger patients recovered faster than
the older ones. Their were two specific cases where a six year old and a seven year old rapidly
recovered after their treatment and both maintained a positive behavior during their stay, plus
counted with their parent’s support. From my point of view this should be applauded since
depression is one of the risk factors this disease may bring. On the other hand there was a
nineteen year old boy who had a hard time dealing with his condition and his emotional state
often varied. An eighteen year old boy suffered from depression before he was installed on the

3. Cancer: How does character and emotional behavior affect its recovery 5
hospital facilities and was having a hard time recovering regarding the fact all of his family was
always by his side.
Even though many factors are considered in order to determine the attitude the patient is going
to adapt, it is important to maintain patiently during their lapse of acceptance, every patient has
their own way of adapting and accepting, no matter how long it takes, their condition.
“Is it finally time to retire the hypothesis that personality is a significant causal factor in cancer?
The hypothesis can be traced to the writings of Hippocrates and Galen, but, in modern times, it
has become embedded in a matrix of strongly held cultural beliefs about mind-body relations,
including beliefs that personality traits such as optimism and fighting spirit can not only promote
the psychological adjustment of persons diagnosed with cancer but also extend their survival”
(Ranchor,Adelita,2010).
Patient Age Attitude
behavior
Recovery
Gabe 6 playful Right after
chemotherapy
Alexandra 7 Playful, active and
passionate for the
arts
Right after
chemotherapy
Juan 19 Varied Remained on the
hospital
Ricardo 18 Depressed Remained on the
hospital

4. Cancer: How does character and emotional behavior affect it’s recovery 4