Advancing Patient-Centered Breast Cancer Care: NABD-BC2 Organizes Specialized Training in Psychosocial Support and Patient Advocacy

NABD-BC2 Association successfully organized a comprehensive training program on psychological support and patient accompaniment for breast cancer patient experts and cancer patient associations on March 28–29 and April 4–5, 2026. The program brought together leading oncologists, psycho-oncologists, patient advocates, and healthcare experts to strengthen capacities in psychosocial support and patient-centered breast cancer care.

The training opened with presentations focused on breast cancer diagnosis, treatment pathways, and patient-centered oncology care.

Following opening remarks by the President of NABD-BC2 Association, Mrs Ikram eseghir and Pr. Hind Mrabti, oncologist and President of AMFROM, Dr. Narjis Berrada, oncologist, discussed the importance of early breast cancer detection, emphasizing its impact on prognosis, comprehensive care, prevention, and patient empowerment.

Dr. Rajae Najib, oncologist, presented the complete breast cancer care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, highlighting multidisciplinary management and personalized therapeutic strategies.

Professor Hind Mrabti, oncologist, addressed localized and metastatic breast cancer (EBC vs. ABC), focusing on molecular subtypes, precision oncology, and advances in targeted therapies.

Dr. Ayoub Lahlou, MD and international expert in health systems, presented the contribution of patient navigation in improving care coordination, accessibility, and psychosocial support throughout the patient journey.

Dr. Aicha Ziani conducted a session on active listening and communication styles with cancer patients, emphasizing empathy and patient-centered communication.

During the second weekend of the training, the sessions opened with an overview, synthesis, and recommendations from the first weekend, presented by Ms. Hajar Gdader, Advocacy Strategy Lead. She revisited the key discussions and reaffirmed NABD-BC2 Association’s vision of promoting unity, collaboration, and partnership among patient associations, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders.

The scientific sessions continued with Professor Hassan Errihani, oncologist and founder of AMFROM, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on endocrine therapy in breast cancer and its impact on patients’ quality of life. He highlighted the major advances achieved in breast cancer treatment through precision medicine and molecular classification, explaining how hormone receptor status and genomic profiling now guide more personalized therapeutic decisions.

Dr. Sara Naciri, oncologist, addressed oncofertility and fertility preservation strategies for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. She highlighted how advances in oncology have significantly improved survival rates, making quality of life and future family planning increasingly important aspects of comprehensive cancer care. Her presentation emphasized that fertility preservation should be considered early in the treatment pathway, before the initiation of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other treatments that may affect reproductive health.

Dr. Tarik Messaoudi, surgical oncologist, discussed breast cancer surgery, including conservative surgery, reconstructive techniques, and advances in oncoplastic approaches that balance oncological safety with quality of life and aesthetic outcomes.

Several sessions focused on psychosocial support and communication in oncology care. Dr. Wadih Rhondali, psycho-oncologist, led workshops and presentations on the announcement of a cancer diagnosis, the emotional reactions of patients and families, patient distress management, communication approaches, and the psychosocial impact of cancer on daily life. He also explored cancer-related stigma and presented methodologies for structuring Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) accompaniment pathways adapted to the Moroccan context.

Mrs. Ikram Eseghir, patient expert and advocate, highlighted the concept and impact of the meaningful engagement of people living with NCDs, especially cancer, at the global, regional, and national levels. She also presented the history and importance of supportive care and psychosocial support, concluding with the role of patient advocacy and the ways in which it can humanize cancer care and improve healthcare systems.

Throughout the training, participants engaged in practical workshops, simulations, sharing best practices and collaborative discussions designed to strengthen supportive care skills, improve therapeutic communication, and develop structured accompaniment pathways for patients living with breast cancer. The initiative emphasized the importance of integrating medical, psychological, social, and community dimensions into modern oncology care.

Through this initiative, NABD-BC2 reaffirms its commitment to advancing comprehensive, patient-centered breast cancer care in Morocco and strengthening the role of cancer patient associations and patient partners/experts in improving the quality of life of women affected by cancer.

NABD-BC2 Association expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers for their valuable contributions, expertise, and dedication throughout this training program. We alo extend our sincere thanks to all breast cancer patient partners and the representatives of cancer patient organizations who accepted our invitation and actively participated in this important initiative. Their engagement, commitment, and willingness to strengthen their knowledge nd advocacy capacities made this program truly meaningful and impactful.

We would also like to warmly thank the organizing committee whose hard work, dedication, and continuous efforts contributed greatly to the success of this event. Special appreciation is extended to our sponsors, Novartis and Roche, for supporting NABD-BC2’s mission and commitment to advancing integrative oncology and patient-centered breast cancer care and psychosocial support in Morocco.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this training program. NABD-BC2 looks forward to continuing to build strong partnerships, empower patient advocates, and work collectively toward a more compassionate, inclusive, and patient-centered future for women affected by breast cancer.