P.R. Laws tit. 24, § 422
The rehabilitation and survival of a cancer patient is the main objective of early detection and treatment: to allow any human being who has suffered from cancer to live life to the fullest by minimizing any potential physical and emotional disabilities that this disease could have caused. This approach should address components such as physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as reasonable accommodation and financial needs. It shall be the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico to promote cancer rehabilitation and survivorship by complying with the following policies:
(a) To foster further recognition of the rights that protect cancer survivors among by survivor’s relatives, healthcare providers, researchers, the general public, and even survivors themselves. This includes the adoption of a definition of cancer survivor.
(b) To identify the needs of survivors during and after treatment in order to provide them with the best comprehensive care for any physical, mental, and emotional health conditions, as well as any other needs.
(c) To ensure that every cancer survivor receives services of the highest quality available for his/her recovery in a timely manner and with the greatest compassion and sensibility towards their condition.
(d) To promote the development of multidisciplinary teams, which shall include health care providers, oncology nurses, social workers, and spiritual counselors to address the survivor’s needs.
(e) To promote the use of complementary medicine during the survivor’s recovery process.
(f) To guarantee the best palliative care available for survivors and their participation in the decision-making process on this matter.
(g) To promote strategies in order for survivors to actively participate in activities for the development and implementation of any public policy that benefits or affects them.
(h) To guarantee the availability of care centers that provide services to terminal cancer patients and that the same have advance directive protocols.
History —Apr. 8, 2011, No. 49, § 5.4.