Inside PINK! Kongress DIGITAL: An Interview with Founder Prof. Dr. Pia Wülfing

The PINK! Kongress DIGITAL has become an annual event that provides breast cancer patients with valuable information and support. What do you believe sets this year’s event apart from previous years?

Prof. Dr. Pia Wülfing: It’s bound to get even better, as we were able to incorporate feedback from our participants over the past years in our planning, allowing us to meet everyone’s needs even more. And, of course, as every year, we’ll have top experts from gynecology, oncology, psychology, nutritional medicine, sports science, sexual medicine, and more on site to share their knowledge with participants and answer audience questions with us.
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How has the PINK! Kongress DIGITAL evolved since its first year, and what inspired you to keep this event going as a digital format?

Prof. Wülfing: To be honest, the PINK! Congress initially started as an obsession of mine to offer patients a day filled with top-quality information from highly qualified experts and to give them a live opportunity to ask questions. I hadn’t realized what kind of effort and organization this would require from our team before the first congress. But it was worth it. And it’s worth it every year! The growing number of participants and the enthusiastic feedback from my medical colleagues about the event’s value give us continued momentum. And thanks to the digital format—patients participate from home via computer, tablet, or smartphone—we can offer participation to those affected all over Germany; even from the sofa, if they aren’t feeling well due to their diagnosis or treatment.

This year, the Kongress includes sessions on a wide range of topics, from early-stage breast cancer to psycho-oncology. How do you select the themes and experts each year?

Prof. Wülfing: We always strive to cover all relevant topics, from diagnosis to aftercare. And we aim not only to reach women with early, treatable breast cancer but also to provide content for women with advanced disease. As always with PINK!, we take a holistic approach, extending beyond strictly medical-therapeutic topics. We also offer panels and lectures on complementary therapies, psychological topics, and more.
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As a specialist who has dedicated over 20 years to improving breast cancer care, what message would you like to share with patients who might be attending for the first time?

Prof. Wülfing: You certainly won’t regret attending. We have such a diverse program that there will be highly interesting content for every patient. And on the day of the congress, you’ll have the opportunity to ask your individual questions directly to our experts via the chat (anonymously).
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What impact do you hope the PINK! Kongress DIGITAL has on patients’ understanding of their treatment options and overall well-being?

Prof. Wülfing: We want to provide patients with a deeper understanding of their diagnosis and treatments. Information is the best remedy against fear. All information we provide at the congress is highly current, evidence-based, and aligns with clinical guidelines. When patients search online and try to educate themselves, it’s nearly impossible for them to assess which information is accurate and applicable to their personal situation. We take on this evaluation for them at the congress (and also through our prescribable app, PINK! Coach) by carefully curating experts and content.
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Looking ahead, what future plans or goals do you have for the PINK! Kongress DIGITAL and its role in breast cancer awareness and support?

Prof. Wülfing: I think the saying applies here: “never change a winning team”. ;) We will definitely continue with this successful format and, hopefully, reach and empower even more patients each year.
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The PINK! Kongress DIGITAL provides a unique platform for patients to learn directly from leading experts. How do you see this direct access benefiting patients in their journey with breast cancer?

Prof. Wülfing: Patients rarely have the opportunity to receive knowledge in such a compact format and directly from distinguished experts. And the option to ask the experts their own questions (anonymously) is certainly something very special. We aim to empower patients and provide them with a sense of security.

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How do you ensure that the topics covered are both medically informative and relatable to the everyday experiences of patients?

Prof. Wülfing: I’ve been a gynecologist for 25 years, with a clinical focus on breast cancer throughout my career. Naturally, I know the topics that patients have the most questions about, even if they sometimes extend into complementary medicine. One question that almost every patient has asked me is, “What can I do myself to stay healthy and avoid a relapse?” And this is where we aim to provide support with PINK! — through the annual congress, but especially on a daily basis with our prescribable app, PINK! Coach. The quality of the lectures is ensured by top-notch experts.
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What advice would you give to participants on making the most out of their experience at the Kongress, especially those navigating a new diagnosis?

Prof. Wülfing: Simply join us from home and listen in, ideally with family members or friends who are currently supporting you. They too need the information we’re sharing at the congress to help navigate this situation. If you have questions, you can ask them live (and anonymously) to us and the speakers. And if you'd like to listen again: All lectures and panels from this year’s congress will be available for replay in the PINK! Coach app, where they’ll remain accessible as videos.
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The PINK! Kongress DIGITAL relies on the support of sponsors to make this event possible. How does this sponsorship help ensure the continuity and growth of the Kongress? And what message would you like to share with companies considering similar support in the future?

Prof. Wülfing: Without the support of our sponsors, a project like the PINK! DIGITAL Congress wouldn’t be possible in this format—especially not free of charge for participating patients. Ensuring that patients in this challenging situation receive support regardless of their financial means has always been my guiding principle with PINK!: no patient should be denied information and support simply because they cannot afford it, perhaps even due to the financial impact of breast cancer and limitations such as reduced income during sick leave. Our sponsors make this possible. These companies actively contribute to empowering breast cancer patients, showing social commitment in women’s health. And we’re already excited to have sponsorship commitments for the 2025 congress! 😉
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Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with experts at the 2024 PINK! Kongress DIGITAL. Led by Prof. Dr. Pia Wülfing and conducted in German, this event is dedicated to empowering breast cancer patients with the latest knowledge and supportive resources. Whether you're newly diagnosed or further along in your journey, this congress is designed for you. Register now and join a community committed to supporting and strengthening each other. Register here!

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