Support for women with breast cancer

3 questions for Barbara Kundert, founder of the «Tavola Rosa» association, which supports and networks women with breast cancer through various programmes.

Picture: iStockphoto

Interview: Florina Schwander

Mrs Kundert, what does the name «Tavola Rosa» mean?

A table, tavola in Italian, brings people together, inviting them to take a seat and talk. And pink symbolises the colour of breast cancer. I have Italian roots on my mother's side and family members with breast cancer. The memory of them made me choose this name.

"We want to counteract the lurking isolation" Barbara Kundert (Image: zVg)
"We want to counteract the lurking isolation"

Barbara Kundert (Image: zVg)

Who is «Tavola Rosa» aimed at?

Anyone affected by breast cancer, whether newly diagnosed or already a survivor, can take part in our monthly meetings. There is usually a brief contact before the first meeting to clarify any questions or uncertainties. Due to the coronavirus, the meetings have recently been held outdoors, as a walk or picnic. I try to walk alone with each woman for a while. Anyone who wants to can tell their story. We talk about the illness and everyday topics, give tips and answer questions. We work on a small scale and create a local offer to counteract the lurking isolation during a serious illness.

What can I do specifically if my friend or a colleague at work is diagnosed with breast cancer?

Each of us affected reacts differently emotionally. But everyone has to live with a very serious diagnosis from one day to the next. And with countless visits to the doctor and therapies. This is draining, tiring and frightening. How can I cope with it all? Will I survive? Everyday life at home and at work goes on as if nothing had happened. So there are often very practical things you can do to help: bringing a meal round, doing the shopping or looking after the children. Breast cancer is not taboo - you can talk about it and ask questions. This is the only way to find out what is good for the other person.

Read more:

«Tavola Rosa» is a regional offer in Basel. There are similar offers throughout Switzerland.
www.tavola-rosa.ch / www.krebsliga.ch

  • «Léni, bitte bleib!»
    Sie war ein lebenslustiges, ein starkes Kind. Dann kam der Tag, an dem Léni wegen Halsschmerzen zum Arzt musste. Seine Diagnose war unvorstellbar: Krebs. Es begann eine unerträgliche Leidensgeschichte. Ihre Mutter erzählt. 
  • «Wenn Mami weint, weine ich auch»
    Zwei Millionen Menschen in der Schweiz leiden an einer chronischen Krankheit. Viele von ihnen haben minderjährige Kinder. So wie Ramona Keller. Sie und ihre Familie erzählen aus ihrem Alltag, von Schmerzen und Verzicht, aber auch von einer grossen Dankbarkeit für jeden gemeinsamen Moment.