Berna Topaloğlu

I am a French national with Turkish heritage, currently residing in Luxembourg — a true European at heart. As a mother of two children, I bring a personal touch to my professional and volunteer endeavors. My academic background includes a degree from Patient’s University, Paris Sorbonne University, and an upcoming graduation from EUPATI, the European Patients Academy in Brussels. Although I have a strong interest in biogenetics and science, I was originally trained as an architect and town planner. I have been deeply involved in urban and territorial development, with a focus on regional cohesion, infrastructure, sustainability, and climate change mitigation in both European and non-EU projects. My work has taken me across Europe and beyond, allowing me to engage with diverse communities benefiting from European funding. I have led a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of 15 professionals, specialising in cross-functional support initiatives. Currently, I volunteer as a patient partner dedicated to improving the cancer journey. My roles include being a member of the Working Group of Patient Partnership with the Luxembourg Hospital Federation, alongside the Luxembourg Red Cross, and collaborating with the Luxembourg Institute of Health and the National Institute of Cancer.

My cancer journey was fortunate — I had the privilege of choosing my healthcare providers, hospitals, and even the country of treatment. However, I have witnessed numerous cases of mismanagement leading to incorrect diagnoses and improper treatments, which I find deeply unjust. This motivated me to become a patient partner. My core values are innovation, equity, and fairness — every patient deserves the best medical treatment, especially when effective therapeutic protocols are available. Additionally, as a mother without familial support during my treatment, I recognised a significant gap in services for families facing cancer. This led to the establishment of a support service by one of Luxembourg's active cancer associations in 2022, highlighting the impact of sharing personal experiences to influence positive change.

Patient Advocacy, Public Management, Health Democracy, Patient Counseling, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).