5th Health discussion for cancer patients
Over 400 patients and relatives as well as doctors attended the Patient Day of the Tumorzentrum München (TZM - Munich Tumour Centre) and Bayerische Krebsgesellschaft e.V. on Saturday 9 April 2016.
This, the fifth Patient Day, was shaped by topics from the fields of complementary medicine, nutrition, psycho-oncology and exercise. The former head of the Institut für Naturheilkunde (Institute of Naturopathy) at the University of Zürich, Professor Reinhard Saller, explained in detail how the effect of medicinal plants can be used for which type of circumstances of disease. The interest of the audience was overwhelming, as the discussion following the presentation revealed.
Anxiety is an ever-present feeling for cancer patients, as Mrs. Dr. Carola Riedner from the Cancer Counselling Services at TZM showed by means of some striking case studies. She also showed, however, some pragmatic ways to cope with these feelings of anxiety.
Nutrition and exercise have become, so to speak, part of the traditional line up of Patient Day topics. Head of the Nutrition and Cancer Consultation Service at the Munich Tumour Centre , M. Sc. Ern. Wiss. Veronika Flöter, and nutritional adviser Christine Leicht from the chair of nutritional medicine at the Technische Universität München, bravely stepped in to fill the role of the speaker originally organised to speak about the topic of nutrition who, unfortunately, was taken ill. The Sports Science graduate Anja Berling then - in the truest sense of the word - got everyone in the packed-out lecture theatre moving and vividly explained the significance of physical activity - not just for cancer patients.
The format for the event was new this year. Werner Buchberger, former head of health at Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Radio), moderated the entire event in the style of a health discussion. He successfully initiated discussion between audience members and speakers, proving himself to be an excellent interlocutor between members of the public and experts.
Finally, we would like to extend our enormous gratitude to everyone who helped in organising this event! As there were so many helpers, we name here a representative few - Mrs. Möbius, Mrs. Bekcan and Mrs. Vollmer!
