Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable: Empathy in Cancer Treatment and Compassion Fatigue

Cancer is a complex experience, affecting not only the body but also the mind. Empathetic care reduces the uncertainty and stress felt by many patients, prompting them to be more receptive to treatment, accelerating progress, and achieving better outcomes.  

 

In a field where compassion can be lifesaving, healthcare professionals often walk a fine line between caring for others and safeguarding their own well-being.  

 

The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) and the European Cancer Organisation bring you a special Young Cancer Professionals Roundtable on ‘Empathy in cancer treatment and compassion fatigue.’  

 

Join the dialogue to hear insights from young professionals and share strategies to navigate the challenges of empathetic care. 

 

The online event takes place on Wednesday 25 June, 16:00–17:30 CEST. Register now!  

25 June 2025 16:00 - 17:30 CEST

Online

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Empathy in cancer care involves a commitment to understanding and addressing the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges patients face. It requires clinicians to listen attentively, validate the patient’s concerns and aspirations, and integrate these insights into compassionate, patient-centred care. 

Sustaining empathy over time, however, can be challenging. Continual exposure to patient suffering can lead to compassion fatigue, making it harder to balance clinical duties with emotional presence. Supporting caregiver resilience is essential to maintaining both well-being and quality care.

This roundtable will be co-chaired by:

  • Anna Smak Gregoor, PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC and Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth, IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member

Register now to be part of the discussion.

Related Resources

  • Young Cancer Professionals
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Speakers

  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member

Speakers

  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member
  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) Read Bio
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society Read Bio
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member Read Bio
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member

Speakers

  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member

Programme

16:00-16:05
Welcome and introductions by Roundtable Co-Chairs
 
  • Anna Smak Gregoor, PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC and Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth, IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member
16:05 – 16:20
Keynote speech 
 
  • Prof. Csaba Dégi, President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
16:20 – 16:40
How does empathy in cancer care affect the patient’s experience?
 
  • Patrycja Radkowska, Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member 
  • Sophie Lelorain, Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centre in Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne 
16:40– 16:55
The issue of burnout and how to take better care of ourselves to better care for others
 
  • Luzia Travado, Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
16:55-17:25
Open discussion and Q&A
17:25-17:30
Closing remarks by Co-Chairs

 

Speakers

  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member

Speakers

  • Prof. Csaba Dégi President, European Cancer Organisation (ECO) & Executive Secretary, International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)
  • Luzia Travado Psycho-Oncology Clinician and researcher, Champalimaud Clinical & Research Centre, Champalimaud Foundation and President-Emeritus, International Psycho-Oncology Society
  • Sophie Lelorain Associate Professor in quantitative Health Psychology, Director of the Research Centrein Health, Ageing & Sport Psychology, University of Lausanne
  • Patrycja Radkowska Vice-Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Europe and ECO Patient Advisory Committee Steering Committee Member
  • Anna Smak Gregoor PhD Candidate in Dermatology, Erasmus MC &Young Cancer Professionals Steering Committee Member, European Cancer Organisation
  • Laura Charlesworth IPOS Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology committee member