A team of researchers aims to improve patients’ understanding of their cancer and support them on their treatment journey by reducing anxiety. Those affected will come into contact with their own tumor, helping them better grasp the disease and face treatment with greater strength.
“A cancer diagnosis is hard to grasp, and treatment can feel overwhelming,” says Prof. Wünsch, head of Psycho-Oncology. “Fear often comes from the unknown. That’s why we’re working to bring clarity—to reduce fear, and to empower patients for what lies ahead.”
At the center of this initiative is the Pathology Explanation Clinic (PEC), where patients can see their own tumor under the microscope, guided by a pathologist. This experience helps patients better understand what’s happening inside their bodies and prepares them emotionally and mentally for the road ahead.
But this is just the beginning. The PEC is part of a broader Support Package that brings together insights and care from multiple disciplines. Patients meet with an oncologist, an oncology nurse, and a psycho-oncologist—all of whom provide tailored information, record it in a personalized “tumor passport,” and offer compassionate, coordinated support.
According to Wünsch, the study is divided into three phases:
“We want to make sure our patients are not only medically prepared, but also emotionally equipped to face treatment,” says Prof. Wünsch. “Our goal is to create a new standard of care—one that helps patients feel informed, supported, and empowered.”
Prof. Dr. phil. A. Wünsch developed this project in collaboration with Bernese colleagues Prof. Dr. med. M. Berger, Medical Oncology; Prof. Dr. med. G. Cathomas, Institute for Tissue Medicine and Pathology; Dr. M. Fliedner, Lead Nursing Expert in Oncology; M.Sc. M. Fontana, Psycho-Oncologist; and Dr. M. Hagemann and Dr. M. Maessen, both researchers in health economics.
Project number: KFS-6151-08-2024
