Robin Hendriks’ Post

Switching perspectives... Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to organize a workshop on #patientinvolvement in #cancerresearch in the frame of the Cancer Core Europe Summer School together with Cinzia Colombo and Paola Mosconi, chaired by Priya Chudasama (who also took the photo). I first gave a short presentation on my personal journey from a basic cancer researcher at the DKFZ Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum to a cancer patient and eventually to a patient representative at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg. And this journey has seriously switched my perspectives in the past 4.5 years. Specifically, I got to understand that if a drug is 'well tolerated' according to published literature, it doesn't have to be what I would consider well tolerated for a majority of patients/survivors (i.e. no impairments of quality of life). It was such a great and rewarding opportunity to share this switch with the 70 talented and open-minded young scientists coming from 30 different countries and various scientific backgrounds. It was a pleasure to see them discussing very actively about potential ways to implement patient involvement in different types of projects ranging from pre-clinical and #translational to #clinical cancer research. I would like to thank the organizers of the #CCESumSchool24 for giving us this awesome opportunity to raise #awareness for the benefits, but also the limitations of #patientadvocacy. Honestly, I was stunned by the comprehensive output these young researchers presented at the end of the workshop. If they only implement a small part of their suggestions in their future projects, it will already be a great step towards real patient partnership as it is envisioned for instance within the NCT Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen #OneNCT. I am looking forward to additional inspiring discussions about the topic in the upcoming days here! And to the boat trip later today, of course... Have I ever mentioned that I love my job? 💜

It's inspiring to see the Cancer Society of New Zealand bring leaders like Associate Professor Jason Gurney into the conversation on equity and cancer prevention. By addressing health disparities, especially those affecting Māori communities, this event highlights the power of focused research and policy to foster equitable environments—a vital component of improving health outcomes across the board. At Tree of Life, we share this mission by supporting employers in creating holistic, preventative health programs that reach employees at every phase of cancer—from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship and prevention. Programs that prioritize stress management, nutrition, sleep, and behavior change are key to nurturing a resilient workforce and supporting overall quality of life. How can your organization move beyond basic wellness to create impactful support for employees facing health challenges? Discover more about our approach to wellness and cancer defense and join us in shaping a healthier future: https://lnkd.in/d4xctuAD for a free demo and to explore the transformative Tree of Life program. #EquityInHealth #CancerPrevention #WorkplaceWellbeing

📢In case you missed it, here are some highlights from our C-NACHE Webinar Series: "Building Tribal Cancer Research To Address Stomach Cancer" featuring Dr. Dornell Pete! 🌟 This series was committed to spotlighting diverse cancer research across Turtle Island, focusing on the Four Corners region and its impact on Native American communities. The aim was to demonstrate how diverse fields of knowledge can contribute to cancer research and inspire the next generation of multi-disciplinary cancer researchers and advocates within Native American communities. 👨🔬 In this segment of the series, we highlighted Dr. Dornell Pete: A tribal member of the Navajo Nation, Dr. Pete uses community-engaged research to study stomach cancer's relationships with lifestyle and pathogenic factors in American Indian communities, aiming to improve gastrointestinal health and identify prevention strategies. 🔗 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/ehUi5vKx Utilize this opportunity to learn and be inspired! #CNACHE #webinar #InCaseYouMissedIt #NativeHealth #CancerResearch 🌿 🪶

Have you had a check up? 🎀 #BreastCancer is as old as human civilization - the earliest recorded cases were found in ancient Egypt around 1600 BCE. Back then, the prospects for a diagnosed woman were not very bright. Fortunately, we don't live in ancient Egypt, and 21st century breast cancer survival rates have only been getting higher. Why? Early detection! ☑️ Being in touch with your body and your doctor about any little changes you notice is key to early detection. Ask any questions, also the uncomfortable ones. ☑️ Early detection via mammogram can improve breast cancer survival rates by up to 98% if detected at stage 1. ☑️ Early detection reduces the need for aggressive treatments and improves quality of life. If you haven't yet, get yourselves checked – November is just as good for it as October 🎀 A big thank you to our dear colleague Yifat Shafir for sharing her story 💗 #BreatCancerAwareness #CancerSurvirov #PinkOctober #GetChecked

🛑 STAY TUNED 🛑 in #ESMO2024 🔥 Presidential Symposium I: Practice-changing trials (Sat, 14.09.2024, 16:30h): Pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy for high-risk #locallyadvancedcervicalcancer: Overall survival results from the randomized, double-blind, phase III ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/ #KEYNOTEA18 study: Pembro + CCRT showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 📣 improvement in OS vs pbo + CCRT in pts with #highriskLACC and had a manageable safety profile. These data provide further support for pembro + CCRT as a #newstandardofcare for this population. 🌈 Always MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid with you!

Counseling cancer survivors and their caregivers is a profound but delicate responsibility. For me, it’s not an easy task—both the survivor and caregiver have endured immense emotional and physical challenges. Survivors have faced unimaginable trials, while their caregivers have quietly borne the weight of worry and exhaustion. Both need guidance and care as they heal and move forward. But even in the toughest moments, there’s room for resilience. When life hands us lemons, we may struggle, but we can still make lemonade. Let’s honor the courage of those who’ve survived and those who’ve cared, and remember that healing is a journey we don’t have to walk alone. We can transform hardship into a source of growth and connection with compassion and understanding. 💛

I am excited to share an updated website about Cancer Population Science Section in the Division of Oncological Sciences at the Knight Cancer Institute! Check out the great resources, science, and people within the section! https://lnkd.in/g3BdU326

Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis" was recently published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship, with contributions from Marlene N. Silva and Eliana Carraça, CIDEFES members, and Sofia Franco, PhD student at CIDEFES. This systematic review highlights important psychosocial correlates of free-living physical activity that can be targeted in future physical activity promotion interventions for cancer survivors. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dy-erDTy #CIDEFES

📊 MILESTONE ALERT! 📊 We're happy to announce that the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network's #GoldCohort grew by a record number of cases last month! With the addition of 439 new cases in February, the Network has now surpassed the 4,000 case milestone, gaining new momentum in its goal of reaching 15k in the next two years. This growth would not be possible without the incredible work done by patients, nurses, clinicians, researchers, technicians and administrators at our 34 member institutions. March dashboard at a glance: 🍁 4,041 cases with genomic data (+439 from last month) 🍁 84 contributing cohorts 🍁 34 member institutions 🍁 29 cancer types represented See the full dashboard ▶ https://lnkd.in/d5ePe7DE #PrecisionMedicine #WholeGenomeSequencing #CancerResearch #TerryFox The Terry Fox Research Institute The Terry Fox Foundation Health Canada | Santé Canada

🧬 Our study, which involved collaboration with esteemed colleagues from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The University of British Columbia, delves into the role of #SOX2 in the progression of breast and lung cancers. We found that an imbalance in SOX2 expression can significantly influence the growth, dissemination, and treatment resistance of these cancers. 👨🏫 This journey was challenging but incredibly rewarding. I want to express my deepest gratitude to a few individuals who have been instrumental in my academic journey. Firstly, Dr. Seyed Hassan Saadat, whose guidance has been invaluable not only in my academic endeavors but also in my personal development. Prof. Freddy Troost and Prof. Mireille Sthijns, who, although not directly involved in this paper, have played a crucial role in shaping my academic and professional journey. Mr. Colin Dohmen, whose valuable feedback and constructive criticism helped me realize my potential. Lastly, I want to sincerely thank Prof. Hamid Zand. Although I haven’t had the privilege of meeting him for over a decade, he was the one who planted the seed of scientific research in my mind during my undergraduate years. You can read our full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dNjJEWpA Do not hesitate to contact me if you need access to the article. #BreastCancer #LungCancer #SOX2 #Biomarkers #TargetedTherapy