This guide walks through breast cancer care in Berlin step by step, from the first finding to treatment, recovery and follow-up. Read the part you need now and come back to the rest when you're ready.
A gentle note: this guide is here to help you understand and prepare. It is not medical advice and can't replace your breast centre or oncology team. Every treatment plan is individual, so ask your team which steps apply to you and when.
In Berlin, care is usually coordinated by a certified breast centre (zertifiziertes Brustzentrum) with a team of specialists. Berlin’s certified centres include the Charité and Vivantes (see Support in Berlin). Depending on your situation, you may meet a gynaecologist, radiologist, pathologist, breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, specialist nurses, a psycho-oncologist and social services.
They can assess symptoms, arrange first tests or refer you to a breast specialist. If you notice a new lump, a change in the skin or nipple, or bloody discharge from the nipple, get it checked promptly.
You can ask whether the centre is certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG) and how your case is discussed at the tumour board (Tumorkonferenz).
You can ask for plain-language explanations, copies of your reports and time to think about options. A second opinion is your right if you're unsure. Please don't delay urgent care while you seek one.
This is a typical map, not a fixed timetable. Some tests happen at the same time, and not everyone needs every step. The order of treatment depends on the tumour's biology, its stage, your health, your wishes and the aim of treatment.
Waiting for results is often the hardest part. Feeling unsettled is normal. You can call your centre and ask when results are expected.
An unclear screening result or a symptom is usually followed by a clinical examination and imaging, most often mammography and ultrasound. MRI may be used in some situations.
A small tissue sample, often taken with a core needle biopsy, is examined by a pathologist. If cancer is found, the report may describe the tumour type and grade, hormone receptors (ER/PR), HER2 status and sometimes Ki-67.
Your team works out how far the disease has spread and whether more imaging is needed. This can include breast MRI, ultrasound of the lymph nodes or, in some cases, CT, bone imaging or other scans. Genetic counselling or testing may be offered based on your age, family history and clinical criteria.
You're allowed to take notes, ask for things to be repeated and bring someone you trust. Good teams expect questions.
A team of specialists reviews your findings together and recommends a plan. You should be told the aim, order and expected length of treatment, along with its benefits, risks and alternatives.
Treatment can be tiring in ways that are hard to explain to others. Asking for help is part of looking after yourself.
Depending on the subtype and stage, treatment may include chemotherapy, anti-HER2 treatment, endocrine (hormone-blocking) treatment, immunotherapy or targeted medicines. Not everyone needs all of these.
Options may include breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, with lymph-node assessment when needed. Reconstruction or oncoplastic approaches may be discussed. The type of operation and the length of the hospital stay vary.
Radiotherapy is recommended for many people, though not everyone. Planning and the number of sessions depend on the operation, the pathology and your individual risk. It is usually given as an outpatient.
For hormone-receptor-positive disease, endocrine therapy may be recommended for several years. Depending on menopausal status and risk, options can include tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression. Other subtypes may need ongoing targeted treatment.
The end of treatment can bring relief and new worries at the same time. Both are common, and support is still there for you.
Rehabilitation (Reha) can help with physical recovery, fatigue, emotional wellbeing and going back to work. Anschlussrehabilitation (AHB) may follow straight after hospital treatment; other rehabilitation can be arranged later. Who is eligible and who pays depends on your circumstances.
Follow-up is planned around your treatment and your risk. It usually includes regular check-ups and breast imaging at recommended intervals. Extra scans or blood tests aren't automatically helpful for everyone without symptoms.
Follow the emergency instructions your oncology team gave you. During chemotherapy or other systemic treatment, a fever can be a medical emergency. Use the exact temperature and phone number your centre gave you, and don't wait for your next appointment.
Call 112 if you feel severely unwell, have difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding or any other life-threatening symptom.
Also contact your team promptly for:
This list is not complete. If something worries you, it's always fine to call.
Cancer affects money, work, home and family too. These are the main places to ask. Rules depend on your insurance, job and situation, so check before you arrange anything. Insurance, sick pay and rehabilitation follow German national rules that apply in Berlin; for local counselling and self-help, see Support in Berlin.
Ask your statutory or private insurer about prescribed medicines, transport to treatment, household help, rehabilitation and any approvals or co-payments you need.
Some insured people can get help at home when illness or treatment stops them doing essential tasks and no one else in the household can. Ask your insurer before arranging it; approval, duration and co-payments vary.
Ask your doctor, employer, insurer or a social counselling service about the sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, AU), continued pay, Krankengeld and any deadlines. What you're entitled to depends on your job and insurance.
Ask the hospital social service or Deutsche Rentenversicherung about medical rehabilitation, AHB and a gradual return to work. Who pays and how to apply depends on your situation.
You can ask for psycho-oncology, social work, family counselling, childcare support or help explaining the diagnosis to children. Breast centres and cancer counselling centres can point you to local services.
Ask your insurer whether prescribed journeys to treatment can be reimbursed and what approval or paperwork is needed. Keep prescriptions, receipts and attendance confirmations.
You don't need the perfect words. Steady, practical presence usually matters more than advice. Everyone is different, so let the person lead and check what they'd like.
"I'm here. You don't have to explain anything."
Supporting someone is demanding. Cancer counselling centres (Krebsberatungsstellen) and the Krebsinformationsdienst also help relatives and friends. If there are children in the family, the breast centre's psycho-oncology or social service can help you explain what's happening in a way that fits their age.
Tick what you need. Your ticks and notes are saved in this browser only, on this device. Bring someone you trust if you'd like help taking notes.
These organisations are based in Berlin. Phone numbers, hours and appointment rules change, so please call or check the website before you go. This list is a starting point, not a recommendation and not complete.
Psychosocial cancer counselling in person, by phone, video or email. Also sports consultations, a fatigue clinic, support for children of parents with cancer and a hardship fund.
Independent, confidential counselling for people with cancer and their relatives: individual, couple and family sessions and groups. Free of charge. Counselling in Polish and English, and an interpreting service for other languages.
Every Berlin district office has a counselling service for people with cancer or a chronic illness.
Certified breast centre of the Charité. The team includes psychologists, psycho-oncology and breast care nurses. A separate centre for familial breast and ovarian cancer offers genetic counselling.
Certified breast centre at Klinikum Am Urban, with a clinic for assessing findings.
The German Cancer Society’s directory of certified cancer centres lets you search for breast centres in Berlin.
An open self-help group for people with a breast cancer diagnosis, linked to the Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center. Meets online (Zoom, first Thursday of the month) and in person (Thursdays, 17:00–19:00). There is also a WhatsApp group.
Berlin’s self-help contact and information centre. Its group database lets you search for “Krebs” or “Brustkrebs”.
National self-help organisation for people with cancer, with local groups. Use the group finder to look for groups near you.
Self-help network for people with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, with a discussion circle in Berlin.
Free cancer information service. Can also help you find counselling near you.
Free phone line for questions about cancer. Deutsche Krebshilfe also offers a hardship fund.
For problems that can’t wait until your practice opens but are not life-threatening. In an emergency call 112.
Details checked against the organisations’ own websites in October 2026. If something is out of date, the organisation’s website is the best source.
These come from German national cancer organisations and the current evidence-based guideline, and they apply in Berlin too. Some are only in German; your browser's translate feature can help. Recommendations change, so check the publication date.
This guide aims to make the breast cancer pathway in Berlin easier to understand for patients, families and friends, including people who are new to the German healthcare system. It is free and meant to help you prepare and have informed conversations with your healthcare team.
Our principles: no paid medical recommendations, no promises about outcomes, and no replacement for individual medical advice. We link clearly to recognised sources and review the content when guidelines change. Any patient stories we add will be labelled as personal experiences, because everyone's path is different.