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The 19th Cancer Patient Day at the NCT Heidelberg on 27 April 2024 was a success. Almost 300 people came together online to learn about cancer research and treatment. They met with experts in healthcare, research and self-help. The NCT Heidelberg once again worked closely with self-help groups to create the programme.

Dirk Jäger, Managing Director of the NCT Heidelberg and Medical Director of the Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), opened the Cancer Patient Day, followed by a warm welcome from Marion Duscha from the Heidelberg Self-Help Office. Anne Müller, self-help representative at the NCT Heidelberg, provided information on patient participation; Cindy Körner and Imke Veit-Schirmer introduced the Patient Research Council and the Patient Advisory Board.

The general part was followed by the specialist presentations, which offered a clear insight into modern therapy concepts, innovative approaches to cancer treatment and supportive measures. The topics ranged from radiotherapy, molecular oncology and innovative abdominal surgery to immunotherapy, exercise and patients as research partners.

In the second part, patients exchanged views on various cancer entities in ten expert forums. The participants asked doctors and representatives of self-help groups individual questions, received first-hand information and shared their experiences with each other.

After the Patient Day, 40% of participants gave the event top marks in a survey. People liked the mix of talks and the chance to ask questions. The wish list for the next Cancer Patient Day included a number of suggestions for topics and further feedback on the organisation of the event. These ideas will be incorporated into the 2025 planning in order to promote an informative and active exchange between patients, relatives, interested parties and experts from hospitals, research and self-help groups in the future.