PhD defence N.J.M.C (Noëlle) Vrancken Peeters

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

The breasts are regarded as one of the most important aspects of female identity and sexuality, which makes breast cancer a unique type of cancer. Because of improvements in new treatments and early detection, the prognosis of breast cancer has increased significantly over the last couple of decades. For the majority of patients, breast cancer has transformed into a chronic condition. Although this is very promising, breast cancer survivors must live with the possible long-term adverse effects of their disease and its treatment, which may have a significant impact on their overall well-being. 
Especially for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who are in a developmental life phase, breast cancer has a huge impact, as it can interrupt their education or career, cause problems with their sexuality and intimacy, or complicate building and maintaining mature relationships. Looking into the future, it is essential to continue refining and developing strategies aimed at not just prolonging life, but also enhancing the overall quality of life (QoL) of women who live with or beyond breast cancer, ensuring the focus on outcomes that matter most to them.

This thesis aims to contribute to patient-centered breast cancer care by focusing on outcomes that are most significant to patients and survivors, particularly within the unique AYA subgroup. This thesis also explores the long-term health challenges breast cancer survivors experience and the potential of self-management strategies, including digital tools, to improve efficiency in managing breast cancer as a chronic condition, where the patient remains in control and digital healthcare is becoming more central.