Specialist education for representatives of prostate cancer patient organisations

Representatives from prostate cancer patient advocacy groups across Europe gathered in Brussels to participate in the Europa Uomo Academy Summer School to improve their knowledge of prostate cancer and truly become "expert patients".

The 29 participants were joined by expert prostate cancer specialists, patient advocates and Europa Uomo Board members, who delivered more than 30 sessions covering the biology, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

“It was an intense but inspiring experience that gave me a deep sense of connection,” said one of the participants, Karl Mortier from the Belgian prostate cancer patients’ organisation Wij Ook. “We spoke openly about our experiences and about the importance of communication and breaking the taboo surrounding prostate cancer.”

“My key takeaway? Everything starts with timely screening and active follow-up.” You can read Karl Mortier’s detailed account of the event, and his perspective on being a younger patient with prostate cancer, in our Voices section.

Expert speakers at the event included: urologists Steven Joniau, Basil Kaufmann, Philip Cornford, Frank Van der Aa, Bertrand Tombal and Hein Van Poppel; pathologist Théo Van Der Kwast: radiologist Geert Villeirs; radiation oncologist Gert De Meerleer; nuclear medicine specialists Karolien Goffin and Carlos Artigas Guix; uro-andrologist Sam Ward; researcher Monique Roobol; and medical oncologists Tom Van den Mooter and Maria De Santis. Europa Uomo speakers included André Deschamps, Günther Carl, Tania Estapé and Erik Briers.

 Erik Briers, Europa Uomo Chair, said: "This second edition of the Summer School with more participants proves to us all the value of training expert patients. It builds on the commitment of Europa Uomo to serve its membership and on the enthusiasm of the faculty that was willing to share its knowledge."

Read Karl Mortier's account of his Europa Uomo Academy experience