The world of cancer information

Silvia Den

Swiss Cancer League

After Silvia Den completed her training as a nurse, she worked for more than fifteen years on an oncology ward and in a cancer practice. At the same time, she brought up three children and was active in politics and in volunteer work. Subsequently, she took further training in counselling, management and leadership.

For the last two years, she has headed the cancer information service of the Swiss Cancer League. Her team consists of seven nurse counsellors, who are available on 0800 11 88 11 to provide free information and counselling on all aspects of cancer. More recently, the team has run a trilingual Internet forum for patients and their families, initiated and established by Mrs Den.

In addition, working in cooperation with the Tobacco Prevention Association and on behalf of the Federal Health Office, Mrs Den developed and set up Switzerland's first hotline for smokers, which operates in accordance with standards of the European Network of Quitlines (ENQ). By calling 0848 000 181, smokers can seek professional advice on proven methods of giving up the habit.