ESTRO Annual Report 2019

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3. Further enhancement of collaboration with patients and their advocates A closer dialogue with patients has been initiated through collaboration with some of the major patients’ associations in Europe. ESTRO has contributed to events and publications of these associations, and is continuously stimulating partnerships to include the inputs of patients into the ESTRO strategy. The ESTRO Cancer Foundation (ECF) organised a Patients Day that was named Radiotherapy Day on 29 May 2019 in Milan , during the European Week Against Cancer. The day was dedicated to raising awareness of the use of radiotherapy in the fight against cancer. During the day, the decalogue 10 facts about radiotherapy was presented. The meeting drew patients, patient associations, scientific experts, institutions and various important guests such as Riccardo Ruggeri – entrepreneur and journalist who told of his personal experience in the fight against cancer, to which he dedicated a recently published book – and DJ Miki Garzilli, who, together with the doctor who treated him during the therapy, talked about the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. Speakers identified the priorities that institutions, patient associations and scientific societies needed to address to break down barriers to radiotherapy. They also highlighted the need for specialised centres in Italy to be able to meet increasing requirements for RT. The Italian event was attended by the main associations of cancer patients (Favo, Europa Donna, Europa Uomo and Vivere senza stomaco), and experts from several organisations: ESTRO; the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO); the Italian Association of RTTs (AITRO); the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM); and the Italian Association of Cervical Cephalic Oncology (AIOCC).

Partnerships & Policy

ESTRO and the ECF continue to work to include patient’s perspective in the activities and events organised.

Super Run at ESTRO 38 - 5th edition ​

To support the progress of radiotherapy and the benefits of sport during and after cancer treatments, patients, families, doctors, researchers participated.

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