Information about breast cancer

Walk-in homes for people with breast cancer

For people with cancer and their loved ones, there are open houses or walk-in centers in Belgium. These are warm places where they can go for physical and emotional rest, both during and after their treatment.

These homes do not provide medical care, but focus on wellness and recovery, complementary to traditional oncology care.

Spread across the country, there are 15 to 20 such houses, often supported by organizations such as Pink Ribbon, the Foundation Against Cancer or Kom op tegen Kanker. They work around three pillars: psychological, physical and social well-being. Visitors there can participate in activities such as relaxation therapy, yoga, care massages, group discussions and individual counseling. Caregivers and family members are also welcome here.

These houses work largely with volunteers and offer a low-threshold service, tailored to the needs of cancer patients. Visitors find peace, recognition and support on their path to recovery and reorientation, also in terms of work or volunteer engagement. Walk-in centers fill an important gap in care and contribute to improving the quality of life of people with cancer.

Stories of passionate ex-patients

Many open houses start with a great story, at the initiative of energetic cancer patients who made it a job to support other cancer patients after their illness. One of them is Foffi Mavrakis, she started the Limani open house in Maasmechelen. Annick Van Ighem, former breast cancer patient, founded the Huis aan de Schelde in Dendermonde. Aalst, too, has had its own open house since 2025: Huis Hoop.

Below is a list of drop-in centers in Flanders and Brussels:

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