Experience leads to progress
04/28/2026For two years, patients and relatives have been giving cancer research in Bavaria a strong voice: They contribute their experiences to the BZKF's Patient Expert Pool (PEP).
The Patient Expert Pool (PEP) of the Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research (Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung - BZKF) is growing continuously and now has more than 90 committed members. People of different age groups, genders and backgrounds contribute their experience and help to ensure that diverse perspectives are systematically incorporated into BZKF research and communication.
New since 2026: The exchange between researchers and PEP members begins in the early phase of the application process - even before projects start. This means that the perspective of those affected is taken into account right from the start, queries can be clarified directly and ideas can be integrated directly into project planning. The personal dialogue is experienced by both sides as constructive and beneficial.
Experience flows into the research
"The dialogue with the PEP member greatly supported my research and the associated funding application and confirmed to me that I am on the right track. I was able to incorporate the comments into the drafting process in a targeted manner and thus further specify and improve the implementation of my research idea in particular," confirms associate lecturer Dr Maike Buchner, researcher and applicant from TUM Klinikum München.
The benefits of counselling are also clear from the PEP members' perspective: "I have the feeling that I can really make an active contribution here - my experience flows directly into the research. In this way, I can contribute to improving it and ultimately help other patients in a very concrete way," says Beate Janusch, patient and member of the PEP.
The BZKF offers members of the Patient Expert Pool regular online and face-to-face meetings for professional development. At these meetings, they gain insights into current research projects, can expand their knowledge in a targeted manner and actively exchange ideas with researchers. At the same time, this continuous dialogue strengthens networking within the pool and motivates them to contribute their own perspective even more effectively to research and care. The Patient Expert Pool (PEP) illustrates how the structured involvement of patients can contribute to consistently aligning cancer research and care with the needs of patients.
Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research (BZKF)
The Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research (BZKF) pursues the goal of providing all citizens in Bavaria, regardless of where they live, with access to the best possible and innovative therapies.
The merger of the six Bavarian university hospitals and universities in Augsburg, Erlangen, the two locations in Munich, Regensburg and Würzburg not only promotes cancer research, but also bundles expertise and knowledge on the topics of early detection, therapy and aftercare of tumour diseases, while at the same time offering those affected comprehensive and interdisciplinary care.
The BZKF's BürgerTelefonKrebs offers an uncomplicated way to obtain individual advice on all questions relating to cancer by calling the free telephone number 0800 85 100 80. Further information: www.bzkf.de
