Putting People First: How UCCC’s Patient and Family Advisory Council Is Transforming Cancer Care

Central to this effort is the Patient and Family Advisory Council, led by Kim Höglund. The council brings together individuals from different diagnostic areas, all with personal experience of cancer. Their insights help ensure that care is not only medically sound, but also emotionally supportive and tailored to real-life needs.

“When you’re told you have cancer, everything else fades away. It’s hard to take in what the doctor says. Later, when the shock wears off, questions and emotions come flooding in. That’s when the contact nurse becomes a lifeline – someone who offers stability, guidance and support throughout the journey. You don’t have to face this alone,” says Kim Höglund, Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council.

The council’s mission is clear: to make sure the patient voice is heard in every decision that affects care. From diagnosis to recovery, their lived experiences help shape improvements that matter.

“Everyone on the council is here because they want to make things better for others. Behind every patient is a person – not just a diagnosis or a number,” Kim adds.

Beyond treatment, the council also highlights the need for ongoing support – especially for families and children. Access to psychological care varies across Sweden, and the council is working to ensure no one is left behind once treatment ends.

This collaborative approach is at the heart of UCCC’s vision. By listening to patients and involving them in development work, cancer care becomes more accurate, empathetic and future-focused.

“Patient involvement isn’t just good for healthcare – it’s good for society. It leads to a more sustainable and human-centred cancer care system,” says Ingrid Glimelius, Senior Consultant and Director of UCCC.