Klaus Bahlsen Center opens up new spaces: cancer patients are more actively involved, receive holistic advice and their quality of life is improved.
Consultation in the new premises on complementary care measures. Palliative care specialist and pain nurse Tatjana Zielke talking to a patient. Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
(from left) Advisory Board members Prof. Matthias Rostock and Prof. Hans Christiansen, Prof. Diana Steinmann (Director of the Klaus Bahlsen Center), MHH President Prof. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, PD Dr. Susanne Isfort (Managing Director of CCC Hannover), Dr. Jürgen Seja (Chairman of the Rut and Klaus Bahlsen Foundation) and Dr. Sabine Schopp (Managing Director of the Rut and Klaus Bahlsen Foundation). Copyright: Jana Illmer-Krüger/MHH
Many people with cancer wish to make an active contribution to the course of their disease and treatment. Last Thursday, the Klaus Bahlsen Center for Integrative Oncology at the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) at Hannover Medical School (MHH) officially opened its new premises. With a fixed point of contact, short distances and the close integration of treatment, consultation and other services, patient-oriented care is strengthened and interdisciplinary cooperation between the departments is promoted.
Since 2022, the Klaus Bahlsen Center has been using scientifically sound naturopathic and complementary medical therapies to supplement conventional oncology. The center has been supported by the Rut and Klaus Bahlsen Foundation from the very beginning. So far, two million euros have been made available for the funding period 2022 to 2025. Further funding of 1.8 million euros has now been officially confirmed for the years 2026 to 2029.
Holistic and patient-oriented
The aim of integrative cancer medicine is to alleviate side effects and possible late effects of tumor therapy and improve quality of life. "Since the establishment of the center four years ago, we have continued to develop so that we can consistently pursue our holistic approach, which takes into account not only physical aspects but also psychological or social problems of an illness. With the new premises, we have created an optimal environment that is geared towards the needs of cancer patients," says Prof. Dr. Dr. Diana Steinmann, Head of the Klaus Bahlsen Center for Integrative Oncology.
"In recent years, the Klaus Bahlsen Center for Integrative Oncology has established itself as an important component of oncological care, research and patient support at the MHH. For the future, we want to further strengthen integrative, patient-centered oncology, expand innovative therapy and study offers and thus consistently promote the combination of first-class research, modern patient care and improved quality of life for patients," explains Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, President of the MHH.
Multidisciplinary and networked
The center offers a wide range of support services for people with cancer and their relatives. A multidisciplinary team works closely together and combines various medical and therapeutic departments. The services include naturopathic and psycho-oncological counseling, nutritional, sports and exercise programs, palliative medical support and complementary Nursing and relaxation measures. The program is supplemented by group offers to strengthen self-healing powers as well as information and workshop series on illness, well-being and self-management. The Klaus Bahlsen Center cooperates closely with the newly founded Oncological Interdisciplinary Outpatient Clinic, but remains independent.
Involvement in research and studies
Scientific involvement plays an important role at the Center. Several of the Center's services have already been evaluated and published. The Center is currently participating in clinical studies, including one on aroma care for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy and to improve the symptom burden and quality of life of patients. The aim is to give those affected access to innovative treatment options as part of scientific studies.
"Our founders were concerned about the quality of human life. It therefore makes sense to support projects such as the Klaus Bahlsen Center for Integrative Oncology in the field of complementary medicine. Klaus Bahlsen would have been delighted," emphasizes Dr. Jürgen Seja, Chairman of the Board of the Rut and Klaus Bahlsen Foundation.
Unique in Germany
"The Klaus Bahlsen Center for Integrative Oncology is structurally integrated as an integral part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Hannover and combines care, research and teaching in a special way. A big thank you goes to the Rut and Klaus Bahlsen Foundation for its many years of support, without which the further development of the center and its services would not have been possible," emphasizes PD Dr. Susanne Isfort, Managing Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Hannover at the MHH.
Text: Jana Illmer-Krüger