Wir überwinden Grenzen

World Cancer Day on February 4 / The importance of supportive services is growing thanks to ever-improving therapies / Patient representatives should be even more involved in the concerns of those affected

Almost 1,400 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer every day. For many of those affected, the diagnosis comes as a shock. However, thanks to ever-improving diagnostics and individualized therapies, many patients can be completely cured. If this is not successful, cancer often turns from a life-threatening disease into a chronic illness. This is why support services during and after cancer treatment are playing an increasingly important role. The Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg offers patients with cancer a comprehensive range of services.

"The fight against cancer consists of three pillars: early detection, targeted therapy and supportive aftercare. At the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF, we can offer our patients and their families comprehensive services in all pillars," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Stefan Fichtner-Feigl, Director and Spokesperson of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center of Freiburg.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF is one of the few certified oncological centers of excellence in Germany. It has set itself the task of providing patients with the best possible care through interdisciplinary cooperation. For example, possible genetic targets against the tumor can be discovered in a molecular tumor board.

"When treating cancer patients, numerous studies have shown that the experience of the physicians treating them is directly related to the success of the procedure or therapy. For this reason, patients should definitely visit certified centers and find out about the extensive range of services on offer," says Prof. Dr. Justus Duyster, Clinical Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Managing the time with and after cancer well

"There are more and more people who are able to overcome cancer or who have to live with cancer. Support services are very important for them because they help them to cope better with treatment and get back into everyday life," says Prof. Dr. Joachim Weis, Endowed Professor for Self-Help Research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF. This includes advice on nutrition, sport, social law issues and psychological support. The services are also open to cancer patients who have not been or are not being treated at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "We have also recently started offering self-help coaching, in which former cancer patients accompany people who are currently suffering from cancer. This exchange can demonstrably strengthen those affected."

Involving patients as early as the research stage

Numerous national and international cancer studies are conducted at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - CCCF, from basic research to clinical trials. In order to take patient perspectives even more into account in the future, patients should be continuously involved in research and care from the outset. "By integrating patient representatives into the decision-making processes, we can align the care and support of those affected even better with their needs. This is an important step towards increasing patient satisfaction and further improving the quality of life of cancer patients," says Prof. Dr. Christoph Peters, Scientific Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg - University of Freiburg.

Caption: The Interdisciplinary Tumor Center is the central point of contact for cancer patients at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling