On February 8, 2023 Youth Cancer Europe hosted the “Peer Visit as Research Method” Training in Brussels, Belgium, in preparation for future observational and participatory research activities in EU-CAYAS-NET.
The EU Network of Youth Cancer Survivors (EU-CAYAS-NET) is a project co-funded by the European Union’s EU4Health focused on improving the quality of life of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors by creating a Knowledge Centre and interactive Platform for social networking and building a European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors. Led by patient advocates, EU-CAYAS-NET is part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, focusing on topics like Mental Health, Quality of Life, Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Care, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Cancer Care.
Nicola Unterecker, Youth Cancer Europe’s patient advocate, shared her passion for this project because “it’s an opportunity for us to finally make a change in a system that is so desperately needed right now for us, for future patients, for future generations.”
Anya Buchacz, Founder of Pani Ani Foundation said she is especially excited about the Peer Visit activities and the opportunity “a golden standard and not only a minimum standard for AYA Cancer Care and long-term follow-up for survivors across Europe and individually in each country”.
“To me, this network is a really good way to connect people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. There are cancer survivors who would be pretty isolated otherwise. In the last few days, people from 22 countries have shared and learned and taught really good lessons, and we’re looking forward to continuing with the project” stated Andrea Ruano, YCE’s patient advocate.
The concept of Peer Visits is rooted in observational research. In the EU Network of Youth Cancer Survivors (EU-CAYAS-NET) project, participants will be able to observe healthcare professionals and other service providers in their natural environment. Peer Visits are expected to result in valuable feedback to the collaborating institution as well as actionable takeaways for peers to support health-policy initiatives in their home countries. This form of peer learning is designed to stimulate interaction, collaborative learning and solution-building.
Youth Cancer Europe is responsible for the Peer Visits in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy. In 2024, YCE is responsible for several large events within the EU-CAYAS-NET project.