A diagnosis connects - the self-help-friendly breast centre at Bethesda Hospital

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her life changes abruptly. Not feeling alone in this situation, realising that there are others affected with similar fears and worries, can have a unifying and beneficial effect during this difficult phase. For this reason, the Bethesda Hospital Breast Centre promotes the self-help approach out of conviction. "In recent years, we have been working towards dual certification from the Swiss Cancer League and German Cancer Aid at the Breast Centre. This year, we want to offer patients added value with additional services that we can't offer ourselves with our expertise," says Noemi Eisenring, Internal Director of the Basel Bethesda Hospital Breast Centre. The network partners therefore play a major role. Tavola Rosa, for example.

The Tavola Rosa self-help group offers the opportunity to get to know other women with breast cancer in a cosy atmosphere, simply to listen or to be heard by others. It is a place where questions and fears can be addressed, but also where laughter, encouragement and lots of positive energy can be exchanged. Whether you are newly diagnosed, in the middle of treatment or have had the disease for some time, all those affected and their relatives are welcome. As young women with breast cancer usually have other worries, such as the desire to have children or questions about how to deal with children, Tavola Rosa also offers a separate group for younger sufferers.

Strong together

With this step, the Breast Centre would also like to provide more complementary services. Through access to a self-help group, those affected and their relatives can find understanding and support in dealing with the disease. Combining professional expertise with the expert knowledge of those affected enables a broader view of illness and health.
In addition to the Tavola Rosa self-help group and the Basel self-help centre, the "Look good, Feel better" foundation is also part of this network. The foundation offers cancer sufferers a further service in the form of cosmetics workshops. "The patient should feel holistically cared for and recognised in her illness
this includes feeling comfortable in their own skin".
The confidence of being in good hands with a "self-help-friendly healthcare institution" grows. In addition, those affected receive added value, which automatically strengthens their social participation.