Supporting services for cancer patients

Studies have shown that cancer patients benefit from increased exercise.

Exercise is good

• During or after completion of the curative treatment, for example, in breast cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma or other cancers
• In the case of therapy-related fatigue
• Under hormone therapies
• During steroid therapies

The program
The program consists of 24 lessons of 45 minutes each. The first training session is individual in order to be able to respond to your needs and to do a personal assessment/consultation. The other lessons include group endurance and strength training, mobility support and relaxation techniques.

Who is this training for?

• This training is for all cancer patients.
• Group training is also suitable for people who were not previously physically active.
• A preliminary cardiac assessment is recommended for people with known circulatory diseases and/or risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heavy smoking, and people over the age of 60.

Where?

All lessons are held in the physiotherapy facilities.
University Hospital Basel Physiotherapy, Spitalstrasse 21, Clinic 1, 1st underground floor

When?
Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Doctor’s order
The exercise program is prescribed by the treating doctor as physiotherapy. You can hand in the order in person at our registration office or send it to us by e-mail or mail.

Coverage
We will forward the order to your health insurer for coverage approval. We will contact you as soon as we have received the approval from your insurance, so you can start the training.

The tumor itself may lead to metabolic changes and the side effects of therapy may lead to premature satiety, nausea, digestive problems or loss of appetite. This results in unwanted weight loss and a feeling of weakness. In our nutrition counseling, patients and their families get support with difficulties related to eating.

In personal consultations, you will receive information on nutrition that is tailored to your individual eating habits and your medical situation.

There is no special «cancer diet» and no bans or restrictions on food. Adjustments in food selection, meal frequency and consistency can often alleviate discomfort, promote wound healing, stop weight loss and improve general well-being.

If you experience any food-related problems during your hospital stay, we will work with you, the patient catering service and your treating doctor to find solutions.

Following treatment, questions often arise about nutrition again. Through personal consultations, we respond to your needs and show you ways of reducing the risk of recurrence by eating healthy and tasty foods.

Registration

Your physician signs you up for nutrition counseling. If you would like an appointment, please feel free to contact the team of doctors and nursing staff, the case managers or contact us directly. Ask your attending physician or nurse at the Cancer Center. They will give you information and establish contact with the relevant nutrition therapist. We will visit you on the ward during your hospital stay.

Make an appointment for an outpatient consultation. If a doctor’s order is available, the consultation is covered by your basic health insurance.

The University Hospital Basel now offers support to families in which one parent has cancer. Would you like more information? You can find out more about this in our flyer or contact us at familienberatung@usb.ch.

During cancer and the associated therapy, one’s appearance also changes: Hair loss, loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, and dryness and redness can affect self-confidence. «Look Good Feel Better» provides valuable skin care and specific make-up tips to help you conceal the visible traces of your therapy in the best possible way using simple techniques. Enjoy a few moments of well-being and lightness in one of our «Look Good Feel Better beauty workshops» at the University Hospital Basel.

Volunteer cosmetologist will guide you through the two-hour workshop with dedication and a great deal of empathy. This break will give you energy and zest for life and will put a smile on your face. This also offers you the opportunity to exchange experiences with other participants in a relaxed atmosphere.

You are cordially invited to take part in one of the upcoming beauty workshops. The courses take place with strict hygiene and safety precautions (see «LGFB» safety plan).

Virtual «Look Good Feel Better» workshops are offered as well. Interested parties can register free of charge via this link. 

The blog posts also offer valuable skin care and make-up tips that are helpful and easy to use. 

The workshops take place on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participation is free and places are limited.

Registration and information:
Regula Gschwind
regula.gschwind@usb.ch
+41 (0) 61 328 73 31

Course location:
University Hospital Basel, Clinic 1
Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel
1st floor, «Hub»
room We look forward to seeing you!

The area of Medical Genetics at the Cancer Center addresses the causes, diagnostics and risk assessment of predispositions to cancer. It is generally assumed that 5 to 10% of all cancers originate from a powerful, genetic predisposition.

Genetic counseling

Within the framework of genetic counseling, possible genetic causes and the associated family risks are determined under the supervision of a specialist by means of a detailed survey of family and personal history, and additional calculations are made if necessary and discussed in detail with those seeking counseling. If a person has a clinical suspicion of a cancer predisposition, a genetic test, i.e. the molecular genetic analysis of a gene associated with the predisposition, can provide clarity.

• DNA, obtained from a blood or saliva sample, is specifically investigated for «errors» (mutations) in one of the «base pairs» of the gene, which often contains thousands of base pairs.
• If a mutation causing the disease can be identified, this confirms the clinical (suspected) diagnosis. At the same time, the type of mutation may also provide valuable information for the targeted planning of cancer screening.

Evidence of a disease-causing mutation in an affected person subsequently enables relatives (parents, siblings and children) to find out for themselves whether or not they inherited the predisposition. Depending on the underlying cancer predisposition, the probability of being a carrier is up to 50%. After appropriate genetic counseling, which addresses the advantages and disadvantages of early testing, especially in children, and a reasonable period of reflection, relatives can be tested for the mutation identified in the family.

The presymptomatic genetic test, which is usually confirmed on a second independent blood or saliva sample, provides a reliable and unambiguous result in the vast majority of cases: if the gene mutation is present, appropriate monitoring and early detection measures can be initiated in a targeted manner; if the gene mutation identified in the family cannot be detected, the genetic test highly reliably excludes the presence of a corresponding predisposition, making intensive preventive measures unnecessary.

Since hereditary cancers have been a diagnostic and research focus of medical genetics for more than 30 years, this field also offers advanced molecular genetic laboratory diagnostics for a variety of cancer predispositions or is able to use specialized laboratories for this purpose. Apart from the specialized clinics of the University Hospital Basel, it also maintains close cooperation with the University Children’s Hospital Basel (UKBB) and university and cantonal hospitals throughout Switzerland.

Further Information on Medical Genetics

Palliative Care is aimed at patients suffering from a serious and incurable illness. The aim of the treatment is to use a holistic approach to improve the quality of life of the patients and their family and friends, and to strengthen the patients’ autonomy.

The primary objective of physiotherapy is to maintain or, where possible, increase the quality of life for our patients. We achieve this by re-learning, optimizing and practicing everyday activities, through strength and endurance training, joint mobilization and improving mobility (e.g. in the case of fatigue syndrome).

This also includes:

• Neurological rehabilitation for damage to the central nervous system (CNS) according to Bobath.
• Measures such as lymphatic drainage.
• Prevention of arm lymphedema by means of drainage therapy to promote internal and external scar healing, taking into account the physiological functions of the shoulder joint.
• Respiratory physiotherapy/pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Pelvic floor training for urine and stool incontinence.
• Pain relief using physical therapies (heat, electrotherapies, trigger point treatments, etc.).

In order to be able to respond to the individual problems and needs of patients in a targeted manner, physiotherapy is carried out as individual therapy. 

The regular exchange and meetings of physiotherapy professionals with the various specialized departments of the Cancer Center are an integral part of our interdisciplinary cooperation and our quality guarantee.

Registration by doctor’s order:

Physiotherapy Medicine
University Hospital Basel
4031 Basel
therapien@usb.ch

more information about physiotherapy at USB

• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Abdominal Cancer Center
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology in the Breast Center
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Gynecological Cancer Center
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Skin Cancer Center
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Hematology Clinic
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Head, Neck and Eye Cancer Center
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Neurosurgery Clinic
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Medical Oncology Clinic
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Radiotherapy Clinic
• Flyer Psycho-Oncology at the Urology Cancer Center

Many patients with cancer suffer from pain sooner or later. The pain may be caused by the necessary surgery, chemotherapy or cancer progression. In all these cases, our pain specialists in the Anesthesia Unit can provide effective relief.

An illness, an accident or even a pregnancy can lead to major changes in your life situation. This may give rise to social, legal and professional issues, on which we would be happy to provide counseling to you and your family.

Sometimes a discussion and the expertise of our staff can help find a solution together. If necessary, we can also refer you to the appropriate specialized organizations. Our aim is to provide you with good advice and work with you to find the right help for your personal situation. 

The Social Services at the University Hospital Basel (USB) is a team of qualified specialists available free of charge to outpatients and inpatients and their relatives. We are bound by professional secrecy and a duty of confidentiality. 

Give us a call or ask your attending physician or the nursing team about the social services.

A cancer diagnosis has an impact on the body, soul and the daily life of those affected. With our yoga offering, we want to support and strengthen women with breast cancer or gynecological tumors in order to better cope with the stresses of the therapies. Yoga is very complex in its effects and can help restore inner balance. The aim is to alleviate side effects during ongoing cancer therapy and also after treatment completion. For example, yoga can be a valuable aid in the case of fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, mood swings or menopause complaints.

Sign up at frauen-yoga@usb.ch or contact the course instructor directly at +41 61 328 46 31.