Reviving the direct relationship between radiologists and patients was the goal of the 1st Patient Forum, held during the Brazilian Congress of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR 2025) in Curitiba. The initiative is part of a series of initiatives by the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR) aimed at bringing physicians and patients closer together within the multidisciplinary context of care and treatment.
In total, around 120 women who have already had breast cancer or are undergoing treatment participated in the event. The forum was created through a partnership between CBR, the Weem group (Women Engagement for Equity in Medicine) and the Breast Disease Center (CDM), in Curitiba.
For the coordinator of the Cultural Commission of the CBR, and also organizer of the 1st Patient Forum, radiologist Linei Urban, the unprecedented event's main objective was to restore the connection between radiologists and patients, especially in sensitive contexts such as the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
According to the coordinator, the event was structured in two main moments. The first focused on scientific information about diagnosis, treatment, rights and monitoring of breast cancer (Advocacy). The second was reserved for a multidisciplinary discussion group, involving professionals from different areas of health — mastology, oncology, radiology, physiotherapy, nutrition and psychology (Survivorship).
"We held this discussion group so patients could more actively express their concerns, which could then be clarified by the professionals present. It was an important moment for both the patients, who came to learn and share their experiences, and for the professionals, who were there to guide, listen, and better understand what it's like to go through breast cancer," says the coordinator.
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Radiologist Linei also notes that the forum is part of a context of several actions developed by the CBR in order to "give voice, to be present both with patients, which was the case with this activity, and with other specialties in the context of multidisciplinary treatment."
WEEM – Women Engagement for Equity in Medicine (WEEM) is a group of women physicians involved in the multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer, in the areas of mastology, radiology, clinical oncology, pathology, and radiation therapy. The goal is to broaden the discussion on diversity and equity, particularly in leadership positions in medicine, as well as to give patients a voice through events focused on advocacy and Survivorship.
Event: 54th Brazilian Congress of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR25)
Date: September 18-20
Local: Curitiba/UP EXPERIENCE (Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza Street, 5,300
Rector's Office Block – 2nd floor)
Press – _360º Integrated Communication (journalist Vanuza Borges) – 43 9 9920 – 5465