Pathway counselling for breast cancer

Individual assistance

Breast cancer and breast cancer treatments affect your personal, family and social life. Being ill brings many questions, emotions and uncertainty for you and your family. For example, questions about communication with your children, questions about self-image and sexuality, and so on.

The pathway counsellors at the multidisciplinary breast centre (MBC) offer you and your relatives personal psychosocial and nursing support and help you and your relatives deal with the diagnosis, treatment, practical problems and psycho-emotional difficulties.

You can contact them for a confidential discussion and guidance.

This pathway counselling assistance is free of charge.

Single point of contact

You will come into contact with many care providers within the multidisciplinary breast centre. During the various phases of treatment, you will be in contact with several doctors. The pathway counsellor is your permanent single point of contact.

The counsellors also work closely with other healthcare providers in the multidisciplinary breast centre. If necessary, your pathway counsellor will refer you to a counsellor who is best suited to address your specific issue.

Professional support from a team

The team of pathway counsellors consists of nursing specialists, nursing consultants and social workers with specific training in the multidisciplinary breast centre.

Each pathway counsellor has their own counselling field of expertise.

• A nurse will give you more information about care, treatment and recovery.
• A social worker helps you with practical arrangements (such as home support, transport, health and social services) or returning to work.

Moreover, your pathway counsellor will give you tailored information and advice at key times, including when you are faced with a difficult treatment choice.

Start with an introductory meeting

At the start of your treatment, you will be assigned a pathway counsellor.

During an introductory interview:

• You can indicate what your expectations and needs are, in order to provide the appropriate support.
• You will be given more information about how your counsellor works as well as their personal contact details.