Information about breast cancer
What does a breast nurse do?
In a breast clinic, the breast nurse is the central guide through the entire journey of each patient with breast cancer. A breast clinic is a well-functioning network of experts, including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers..., who work together in a multidisciplinary way around breast conditions and breast cancer in particular.
Patients with a suspected breast lesion can visit a breast clinic the very day after learning the bad news, with both a doctor and, as soon as possible, a breast nurse. In five days, the necessary tests are performed to gain insight into the tumor, and the breast nurse follows up with them throughout the process. Breast nurses provide explanations for what the doctors communicate, so that the patient has a good understanding of where he or she stands. This information is always given on paper so that people can read it again at home. Throughout the treatment plan, the breast nurse remains the patient's point of contact. Even when patients are recovering from the procedure at home.
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The House on the Scheldt: new meeting house for fellow sufferers
Breast cancer plunges you into fear and grief for a while, but sometimes it also leads to something beautiful and valuable, such as a new walk-in home. The inspired Annick Van Ighem found the energy after her cancer journey to do something for fellow sufferers. In Dendermonde, she is the inspirer of the House on the Scheldt.
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.
Understanding explanations can be life-saving
A good, understandable explanation from your health care provider helps determine whether you follow your breast cancer treatment well. That's according to a large-scale survey of American breast cancer patients. Women who do not know what to expect are less likely to take their medication as prescribed.
