Who we are

   Werkgroep Hersentumoren vzw – Study Group Brain Tumours Belgium - is a multiprofessional group consisting of patients and their relatives, physicians, caregivers in the broadest sense of the word, neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, psychologists, social workers, … The quality of our information is guaranteed by our Scientific Council under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Sebastiaan Engelborghs, neurologist, University of Antwerp.

 
Prof. Dr. Sebastiaan Engelborghs

   Our home base is the Oncology Centre Antwerp, an umbrella organization for patient advocacy in Belgium.

   We cooperate with the International Brain Tumour Alliance, a worldwide federation of brain tumour associations, IBTA. At the European level we have the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and the European Federation of Neurological Associations as partners.

   We have also participated in the establishment of FACE – Forum Against Cancer Europe. FACE has been set up to continue the successful dialogue of the European cancer patient community with Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and all concerned stakeholders

What is our objective?

   Do you have questions about brain tumours? Do you have a brain tumour yourself, or do you have a relative or friend with a brain tumour? Are you afraid? Are you worried about a beloved one?

   The diagnosis brain tumour unavoidably gives rise to a lot of questions and fears. Reliable information helps to explain the disease accurately, and hopefully enables you to accept it and cope with it.

   At first we want to give you basic information about brain tumours. We give information about the treatment, and also about the support when you suffer from a psychological crisis during the acute phase, the rehabilitation phase or the integration phase.

   Moreover it will become apparent to you that you are not alone with your problem. Many others share this experience with you. A lot of people, institutions and companies are in search of a treatment for each individual brain tumour patient.

   We emphasize on the fact that brain tumour treatment is teamwork, not a “one-man-show”. We plead for an integral and multiprofessional approach.

   We do not want to take your doctor’s place. We just give you the information about the actual possibilities, which may facilitate understanding and decision-making in consultation with your physician.

   This text is based on the “Quality Charter for Treatment and Support of Brain Tumour Patients and their Surroundings”. This “Charter” was a result from the cooperation between the King Baudouin Foundation, Brussels, the Harvey Cushing Centre, Brussels, the Oncology Centre Antwerp, the University of Antwerp, and the Werkgroep Hersentumoren, Belgium.

   At the end of the document you will find a list of institutions in your own country where you can safely ask for more information (Section 5).