DIPEx Project: Skin cancer module augments range of online reports on illness experience

Brandenburg an der Havel, 15 May 2026

The DIPEx project located at the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) has added a new module on skin cancer to its scope of online information. Reports by 38 individuals from all over Germany on their experience of various types of skin cancer were collated, analyzed and edited for a new module which was co-funded by Krebsallianz gGmbH, one of the major German charities. It is available at  https://www.krankheitserfahrungen.de/module/hautkrebs.

Results of the evaluation were presented at a digital session on skin cancer experiences on 28 April 2026. The focus was on affected persons’ individual perspectives and the importance of information, medical treatment and everyday life with the illness.

A diagnosis of skin cancer has a profound effect on many patients. In addition to medical interventions such as surgery and regular checkups they often report mental stress, fear of a relapse or metastases, changes in body image and insecurities in daily life and about sun protection.

Describing personal impressions in her keynote, Solveig Schnaudt says that skin cancer changes not only your body but also your view on life, and that the chance to talk about experiences and be heard has helped her to cope.

The reports document how affected people handle their daily routines and which kind of support is helpful. They offer authentic insights into various coping strategies as orientation for others. Raina Maria Lau (manager / Brandenburg Cancer Society) and Dr. Anja Bargfrede (manager / Brandenburg association for oncological care) both underline the importance of this project for good patient care: expert knowledge, combined with knowledge gained from experience.

The focus of the digital session was on issues like prevention and sun protection, ways to cope with the diagnosis, visible physical changes as well as psychosocial aspects. Individual patient histories show how experiential knowledge can provide orientation, expand perspectives and help to adjust care and information to the actual needs of affected people.

Anne-Kathrin Ringel from the health authority in the district of Barnim stresses the importance of prevention in the context of skin cancer: “Children need to get used to sun protection at an early age, they need to be taught to avoid direct sun light, use protective clothing and sunscreen. Experiential reports can stimulate us adults to protect ourselves and those near and dear to us from too much sun and UV radiation.”  

The project forms part of the nationwide database project on individual patient experience DIPEx Germany, located at the MHB Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie and currently co-funded by Krebsallianz gGmbH. The idea is a scientifically substantiated, low-threshold format which offers information and support to affected patients, their families and health professionals.

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The new module on skin cancer complements the content of the platform: experiential reports on breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, ADHS in children and adolescents, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain, (long/post) COVID 19, type II diabetes, epilepsy, eating disorders and medical rehabilitation. This broad collation of experience from daily life offers practical guidance and further information on a variety of illnesses.  

Useful information for patients, relatives and health professionals

DIPEx Germany is part of the international network HEXI (Health Experience Insights: https://hexi.ox.ac.uk/). The aim is an improved understanding of illness and health through the publication of patient experiences gained and analyzed according to consistent scientific standards.

Affected patients and their families can benefit from this knowledge as much as medical staff, political deciders and researchers. International collaboration serves to create a unique database which permits cross-country comparisons.

Scientific contact:
Dr. Lisa Korte (project coordination DIPEx Germany)
Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie der Medizinischen Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane
Phone: +49 3381 2181 279
E-Mail: lisa.korte@mhb-fontane.de