World Cancer Day on February 4th – City of Cologne

Under the restrictions of the Corona crisis, all people are particularly challenged, but for cancer patients and their relatives, the pandemic is an additional burden in addition to the disease. For example, the illness may take up a lot of space at home and in the family. Possible distraction or relaxing activities are often completely eliminated or changed due to the corona pandemic. Often times, all family members are due to Home Office or school closings at home. In addition, those affected and their relatives suffer from an increased level of threat, as they are classified as a risk group. Additional psychological stress caused by fear of infection intensifies the problem. This can lead to tensions and more frequent conflicts or severe psychological stress on entire families.

On the occasion of International World Cancer Day on Thursday, February 4, 2021, the Health Department of the City of Cologne will be providing information about the cancer advice center run by the LebensWert association eV.. It offers professional support for outpatient cancer patients, their relatives and friends – for almost two years now.

The branch offices have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, but the association quickly switched to a telephone offer in order to continue to be fully available to those seeking advice. In addition, there is video consultation in order to be able to cater to different needs in the best possible way. Various online offers are also increasingly being discussed with those seeking advice and expanded in the cancer counseling center.

Right now, a low-threshold counseling service is very important, in which worries and questions from cancer patients, relatives and friends have a place

says Dr. Harald Rau, Member of the City of Cologne for Social Affairs, Environment, Health and Housing.

In addition, it can be relieving to talk to an independent person about the personal situation.

Telephone and video counseling have proven to be good alternatives in times of lockdown. Experience has shown that those seeking advice gladly accepted them and found them helpful.

Nevertheless, this time also taught us how incomparably valuable personal contact with our clients is. Our team at Cancer Counseling Cologne is looking forward to the time when this contact can take place again

says Renate Küster, head of the cancer counseling center.

The offer is available free of charge. Appointments can be made by phone on 0221 / 478-97184 or by email to [email protected]

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