Zacharoula Sidiropoulou, Senior Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist at Hospital São Francisco Xavier, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“A Profound Lesson from (Cancer) Patients:
Today I had the privilege of observing a focus group with cancer patients, and I was struck by something that should reshape how we think about health information.
What mattered most to them wasn’t just having information – it was having the right information.
These patients didn’t want generic content or well-meaning advice. What they desperately needed was to cut through the noise.
They’re constantly bombarded with miracle cures, unsolicited advice, and conflicting information from every direction and all of that for their sake. What they craved was:
- Evidence-based information grounded in real research
- Expert supervision from qualified medical professionals
- Validated content that they could trust with their lives
- Co-creation opportunities where their voices shaped the resources
They need us to help silence the noise, not add to it.
The last point hit me hardest. They don’t want to be passive recipients of information – they want to be partners in creating it. Their lived experience combined with medical expertise creates something far more powerful than either could achieve alone, while drowning out the dangerous chatter that surrounds cancer.
This isn’t just about cancer care or talk. It’s about recognizing that the people we’re trying to help often know exactly what they need -we just need to listen and create space for their expertise alongside our own.
To fellow doctors, researchers, and organizations:
Are we truly co-creating with the communities we serve, or are we still defaulting to one-way communication?
The patients taught us that authentic partnership isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential for creating information that actually serves those who need it most. ”
More from Zacharoula Sidiropoulou on OncoDaily.