Will you become our breast cancer patient expert?

Do you also think that breast cancer care could be improved? Have you ever felt left out? Like an outsider? Or someone who was unaware of existing services? Many cancer patients share these feelings. Did you know that you can help improve services? That, as a representative of all breast cancer patients in hospitals, research institutions, health insurance funds, etc., you can make your voice heard? Soon, this will become a reality. You can combine your experience as a patient with high-quality training.

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Education

The Patient Expert Center (PEC), based in Zaventem, trains people with chronic or life-threatening conditions to become experts on their disease. Thanks to a partnership with Pink Ribbon, PEC will soon start training patient experts in breast cancer. This training course comprises around 40 hours, spread over six months. That means one evening a week, usually online. In order to represent your fellow patients, you are expected to be able to transcend your own medical history and to know something about the organization of healthcare. You must also have knowledge about the development and approval of medicines and about patient rights, for example. You will also learn to distinguish misinformation from correct information and discover how and where you can do so. That is what the first part of the training is all about. In part two, you will learn about breast cancer itself from doctors, psychologists, and other experts. How does breast cancer develop, what treatments are available, what innovations are in the pipeline, what specific social services are available for breast cancer, and what is reimbursed?

If you have regularly attended all lessons and successfully completed the corresponding tests after each lesson, you will receive a breast cancer patient expert certificate. You will then become a real voice in the debate and can participate in discussions with professional stakeholders.

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Commitment

The costs of the training are fully covered by the Patient Expert Center. Pink Ribbon covers Pink Ribbon second part of the training. The total costs amount to approximately €1,200 per person. As a trained patient expert, you will work as a volunteer, and your contribution will consist of commitment, team spirit, and motivation. You will stand up for your fellow patients. With your acquired knowledge and your own experience as a patient, you can contribute to improving medical practices and health policy.

We are looking for at least 25 candidates (per language area). We will be organizing an initial round of interviews in the spring. Men are also welcome to apply. They will certainly benefit from a patient expert.

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Selection criteria for Breast Cancer Patient Experts

You want to be a voice that is heard. Good for you! You are interested in becoming a representative for breast cancer patients. Great! Then you will undoubtedly want to know whether you are eligible for the Patient Expert breast cancer training program. Read the conditions below.

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Profile

• You have (had) breast cancer.
• You apply via Pink Ribbon .
• You have had a good basic education (not necessarily in the field of health), so that you can follow the Patient Expert Center training program. This preferably requires a higher education level, such as a professional bachelor's degree.
• You will have sufficient communication skills to represent breast cancer patients in meetings with professional stakeholders once you have completed the training.
• You are motivated to work as a volunteer.

Attitude and skills

• You accept that you are ill or on sick leave.
• You are open-minded and eager to take on a new challenge.
• Good communication and social skills are crucial.
• You are willing to complete the entire training program and are capable of successfully completing it. No prior knowledge is required.
• For this course, you need to be available for two hours per week from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for an online lesson. After each lesson, you will take the time to complete a test. If you are unable to attend, you can make up the lesson at a later time during the same week.
• After completing the training, you will be motivated to get involved in initiatives that require a breast cancer Patient Expert, and you will commit to projects run by Pink Ribbon .

Your benefits as a Breast Cancer Patient Expert

• You actively contribute to improving the lives of other women and men with breast cancer.
• You contribute to improving medical practices and health policy regarding breast cancer.
• You meet people who are in the same situation and professionals who are doing their best to improve care for breast cancer patients. You build a network.
• It is an enriching leisure activity.
• You will earn appreciation and gratitude for your efforts.

Do you recognize yourself in the above? Then sign up and briefly introduce yourself with a concise resume at emiliepaice@pink-ribbon.be.

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