A consulting room on a sunny morning in January at Madrid’s Villalba University Hospital, part of the Quirónsalud Hospital Group. The patient is visibly nervous. Her head is full of questions and diffuse fears – which is not uncommon. Dr. Natalia Ruiz Micó, Head of the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Department, tries to reassure her. “Today we are going to talk about your upcoming hip operation …” That is how the doctor begins her consultation with the patient. This is also not uncommon. It is a conversation that will be held thousands of times a day here and at other hospitals. One thing, however, is different: Dr. Ruiz can fully concentrate on her patient. She doesn’t have to study the long medical records or take any notes, which means that she is less stressed than she used to be. That’s because these tasks are now handled by Scribe, an intelligent AI-based dictating machine for medical purposes that she opens on her work phone.

(Published: June 2025)

Scribe was launched in the summer of last year. To date, more than 4,000 doctors in a total of 50 Quirónsalud hospitals across Spain have already used it to carry out over 500,000 consultations. Both doctors and patients report positive experiences of the technology. 

Among the first users was the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at Madrid’s Villalba University Hospital, where Dr. Ruiz is chief physician. While she talks to her patient, Scribe records the conversation, transcribes it, and summarizes the essential points and the resulting tasks. If necessary, the tool can even switch back and forth between several languages. 

The task of clinical documentation was previously a tedious job that was shared among the hospital teams. The secretary’s office took on some of it, as did the assistant doctors on the ward, but on many an occasion the team of treating doctors had to do it themselves. Scribe now saves everyone on the team a great deal of time – or to be more precise, the time previously spent on documentation and administrative work during each consultation. “Medical documentation is a very important aspect of our work, but it is also very time-consuming. It has been difficult to automate until now because it requires special knowledge,” says Dr. Ruiz.   

Technology with huge potential

Why is this now possible with Scribe? As is so often the case, the answer is AI, or more precisely, generative artificial intelligence, which has been enjoying a worldwide boom since the launch of ChatGPT. This type of AI can reliably process human speech and generate high-quality speech output in real time. Yet Scribe isn’t a product of Silicon Valley. Quirónsalud developed the AI solution itself in conjunction with an IT partner and has been testing it since June 2024.

“This technology has huge potential – and not just for Quirónsalud. Scribe helps to humanize healthcare and establish a much closer doctor–patient relationship. It frees medical teams from their administrative tasks and allows them to focus more on their patients,” says Dr. Jorge Short Apellániz, Deputy Medical Director of the Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital in Madrid and one of the initiators of this project at Quirónsalud. 

Yet the tool doesn’t just save time. It also guides the doctor independently through the consultation. “Based on the information collected, Scribe also suggests necessary diagnostic tests or therapy options,” explains Dr. Emilio Calvo, Head of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital in Madrid. “So even during a consultation, the tool highlights possible courses of action,” says Calvo. He stresses, however, that the final decision is still made by the doctor.  

Part of an intelligent clinic network

In order for Scribe to be able to make such intelligent suggestions, it has not only been specially trained, but is also embedded in an overarching digital system developed by Quirónsalud: the Casiopea hospital portal (see box for more information). All information is consolidated here, including the digital medical records – provided that the patients have consented to this. Casiopea has also supplied key training data for Scribe. “This high-quality and very specific data ensures that Scribe does not invent information, but instead delivers relevant results,” explains Dr. Short Apellániz. Furthermore, IT security and data protection are of the utmost importance where sensitive data of this nature is involved.

And how have patients reacted so far to the new development? Dr. Carolina Gotera, senior pulmonology physician at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, gets a lot of positive feedback when she explains the program: “Most patients congratulate us because they recognize the potential of AI and can see how innovative we are. They think it is good that we have more time for them, and their comments are therefore very positive.” 

Digital pioneer in Europe

With Scribe, Quirónsalud is continuing to consolidate its position as a digital pioneer in Europe – demonstrating how innovations in healthcare directly benefit people. “The tool improves communication between patients and medical staff, while minimizing any errors and misunderstandings,” summarizes Dr. Short. “At the same time, such tools increase efficiency and help to reduce the administrative burden for our employees. We can then all invest the time saved in interacting with the patients.” Quirónsalud plans to introduce the Scribe tool in all medical service areas and departments at its various hospitals across Spain in the course of 2025.  

Casiopea – at the heart of the digital hospital 

The Casiopea hospital portal – a so-called digital ecosystem – is a platform that Quirónsalud has been using throughout Spain since 2020. It optimizes patient flows and seamlessly connects all stages of the treatment process – from diagnosis and therapy to outpatient care. Almost eight million users in Spain are already connected to the system via a patient app. Doctors also use the Casiopea Mobility app on their smartphones, making it possible to arrange remote consultations, view laboratory results, and issue prescriptions, among many other things.

Fresenius is currently examining how the digital Casiopea platform can be transferred to Helios hospitals in Germany as part of a pilot project, taking into account the specific requirements of the German market. Among other things, it is working on a central communication interface between the doctor and patient.

Antibiotics are medicines that treat and prevent various bacterial infections in humans and are a mainstay of modern medicine. But they also have their downsides: Antimicrobial resistance, often abbreviated as AMR, is on the rise worldwide. This includes resistance to other medicines used to fight infections caused by fungi or viruses.

(Published: November 2025)

The main cause of AMR is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics / antimicrobial treatments in humans, animals and plants, leading to the development of drug-resistant pathogens. 

Those involved in the healthcare system thus hold a particularly high level of responsibility: that includes doctors, nurses, pharmacies – but also pharmaceutical manufacturers, and not least the patients themselves. In this context, taking responsibility not only means ensuring prudent administration and intake of antibiotic medicines, but also responsible manufacturing including controlled production.

We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of antibiotic production at all sites!

Prevention is a key element in production for Fresenius Kabi. As a leading manufacturer of intravenous antibiotics, the business sector has a dual responsibility: on the one hand, to produce essential medicines and make them available worldwide, and on the other hand, to ensure responsible manufacturing. By applying the standard, we ensure proper control of waste and wastewater so that any antibiotic residues are minimized, controlled, and effectively treated, thereby reducing environmental risks and minimizing the potential for antimicrobial resistance.  

Careful handling of antibiotic residues is particularly important: If they enter the environment via wastewater, they can contribute to the development of resistant pathogens there. “To counteract and prevent this, we are committed to minimizing environmental impact in antibiotic production at all our sites,” says Kirsten Nyland, Senior Vice President Environmental & Occupational Management at Fresenius Kabi. Since 2020, Fresenius Kabi has been a member of the Antimicrobial Resistance Industry Alliance (AMRIA) and is working together with other companies on solutions. “Because: How we handle these resources today will determine whether antibiotics will still be effective tomorrow,” Nyland adds.  

A flagship project has been implemented at the site in Santiago de Besteiros, Portugal: It became the first Fresenius Kabi site to receive BSI Kitemark™ certification for minimized AMR risk in the production of ceftriaxone. The certification confirms that the manufacturing processes there comply with the “AMR Industry Alliance Antibiotic Manufacturing Standard”.   Recently, the Fresenius Kabi site in Kutno, Poland, also received the certification to produce amikacin and linezolid. At the production unit in Graz, Austria, AMR certification was a natural next step. The site had long adhered to stringent environmental and quality standards, making BSI Kitemark™ certification for minimized AMR risk in the production of amikacin a confirmation of existing best practices.   The certifications also recognize the sites’ environmental management – in particular the measures taken to control and reduce antibiotic residues in wastewater and waste streams. Fresenius Kabi is thus working on an ongoing basis to make a measurable contribution to the containment of AMR.  

Why Helios and Quirónsalud have established consistent antibiotic management

Helios and Quirónsalud use antibiotics to treat bacterial infections in their hospitals. That is precisely why it is crucial to prevent the emergence of resistant pathogens at an early stage, because AMR in hospitals can prolong the length of stay, increase the risk of complications, and influence mortality.  

Helios is actively taking on this challenge: “In order to detect abnormalities and possible incorrect use of antibiotics, their consumption needs to be monitored. That is why we introduced antibiotic reporting in all Helios hospitals as long ago as 2012,” says Dr. Felix Giebel, Chief Physician in the Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Hygiene and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division. “The burden of antimicrobial resistance is already high and may continue to increase – meaning even fewer antibiotics could be effective in the future. Only targeted antibiotic management can prevent or at least curb that.”  

Helios and Quirónsalud rely on interdisciplinary teams and digital tools

Effective hygiene measures are a key lever for preventing AMR – with the aim of avoiding nosocomial infections, in other words, those acquired during a stay in hospital. Helios goes even further:  

Helios introduced a holistic antibiotic stewardship program in 2019. It includes certified digital training of antibiotic stewardship experts (ABS), the implementation of ABS-trained physicians in every clinical unit, the introduction of a digitally controlled prescription of antibiotics, and a central infection monitoring system, referred to as “Surveillance”. Practical measures and guidelines for the hospitals are derived from this program on an ongoing basis.  

Quirónsalud hospitals also provide examples of their firm commitment to research and sustainability. In 2020, Quirónsalud Barcelona Hospital launched the “PROA” programme, in Spanish “Programa de Optimización del Uso de Antimicrobianos”. It promotes targeted and rational antibiotic use based on standardized guidelines, interdisciplinary teams, and ongoing monitoring of prescriptions, and is firmly embedded in the hospital’s quality and infection-prevention policies. Another example is the ARGOS project, developed by Quirónsalud colleagues. It is an integrated infection control and prevention program, using evidence, collaboration, and AI to guide safer antibiotic use. 

Further information    

AMR occurs when microorganisms have changed in such a way that they no longer respond to antibiotics, i.e. they have become resistant. If such resistant pathogens enter the environment, they can spread infections and make diseases that were previously easily treatable become life-threatening. AMR thus affects us all. The WHO has warned that without countermeasures, up to 10 million people a year could die from the consequences by 2050.  

Surgery to resolve a life-threatening diaphragmatic hernia has successfully been performed on a preterm baby weighing little more than 500 grams for the first time ever – an unprecedented procedure and medical breakthrough that brings hope.

(Published: November 2025)

Born three months preterm weighing just 490 grams, the little girl was barely bigger than an adult’s hand. Doctors delivered her by C-section on January 23, 2025 after her mother developed pregnancy-related complications. Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Friederike Senger discovered during an ultrasound before the little girl had even taken her first breath that she had a life-threatening defect. In this condition known as a diaphragmatic hernia, the abdominal organs move up into the chest cavity. This makes breathing almost impossible and would previously have been considered inoperable in such a tiny infant.

“Based on this diagnosis, we had to tell the girl’s parents that their daughter had only a very slim chance of surviving. I assured them, though, that we would do everything medically possible to try to save their tiny newborn,” recalls Dr. Kai Siedler, Chief Physician for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Helios hospital in Pforzheim.

An interdisciplinary team from two Helios sites – and a strong will to live

Thanks to highly specialized care with state-of-the-art ventilation technology and special feeding strategies, the neonatal team led by Chief Physician Dr. Kai Siedler and Senior Physician Alexandra Weber successfully stabilized the little girl, saving her life. In the days that followed, they were even able to start giving her breast milk, drop by drop via a tiny feeding tube.

An interdisciplinary team of surgeons and pediatricians from two Helios sites operated on the frail little girl when she was just 19 days old and weighed only 540 grams. Chief Physician Dr. Thomas Ringle and Senior Physician Max Böttinger-Hummel from the pediatric surgery department at Helios Klinikum Pforzheim and Prof. Dr. Stefan Gfrörer, Chief Physician for Pediatric Surgery at Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch used special magnifying loupes to perform the procedure. They successfully closed the hole in the diaphragm and returned the organs to their correct position – in a newborn whose organs had only just begun to develop.

“We broke new ground with this surgery at such an extremely low birth weight. Without it, the child would have had no chance of surviving. The perfect cooperation between our experienced interdisciplinary team of surgeons, pediatric intensive care physicians, and intensive care nurses was key to its success. Our little patient’s sheer determination to live also impressed us time and again though,” emphasizes Dr. Thomas Ringle.

Aftercare by a highly committed team of nurses

After the successful surgery, the little girl received round-the-clock care from the dedicated nursing team in the pediatric intensive care unit, then on the intermediate care ward. She made excellent progress: There were no complications, her breathing stabilized, she gained weight, and began drinking on her own.

On 3 June, 130 days after her birth, the little patient could be discharged from hospital weighing 2,150 grams. She will continue to be treated as an outpatient and will return to the children’s hospital for any procedures she may need in the future.

Dr. Kai Siedler hails the surgery as a milestone: “This case shows what modern medicine can achieve today – but above all what is possible when a highly motivated team works together. We are proud of everyone involved.”

Despite their tremendous concern, the baby’s parents were always optimistic: “We were terrified that we might lose our child, but we never lost hope. We owe the fact that our daughter is alive today and thriving like she is to the courage and skill of the physicians and the entire pediatric care team. We will forever be grateful that we chose this hospital.”

This success once again highlights the outstanding expertise and exceptional teamwork of the Fresenius Helios staff in caring for high-risk preterm infants. And it should set a precedent: The experience gained from this procedure will be shared with the international medical community.

What does it truly mean to live with a chronic illness? Beyond medical symptoms, patients face daily challenges that impact their routines, emotions, and interactions with the healthcare system. To foster a deeper understanding of these realities, Fresenius Kabi is participating in an immersive patient experience program, allowing colleagues to step into the world of those they serve.

(Published: July 2025)
Employees partake in a simulation that replicates certain situations in the life of a patient. Using a dedicated app, they receive instructions and updates, engage in role-play calls with actors portraying caregivers and healthcare professionals, and interact with physical materials received in advance to go through practical aspects of managing symptoms. For 24 hours, they are not just employees working in healthcare. They become patients. This hands-on experience provides valuable insights – not only into the physical symptoms of a disease but also into the emotional and logistical burdens that come with managing a chronic condition.

 

Transforming empathy into action 

To bring this immersive experience to life, Fresenius Kabi is partnering with A Life in a Day, an award-winning program designed to offer a realistic glimpse into the daily challenges of living with a chronic illness. Developed in close collaboration with patients, patient support organizations, and healthcare professionals, the program ensures accuracy and authenticity.

For our people, it has already made a lasting impression. In the most recent wave of the program, colleagues took part in the Crohn’s disease simulation, a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s can lead to severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss, but its impact extends beyond physical symptoms. Patients must navigate complex treatment regimens, frequent medical appointments, and the unpredictability of flare-ups which can lead to distressing situations and difficult choices about daily activities – all while balancing everyday life. Through this experience, participants gained a first-hand perspective on these challenges, strengthening their understanding of patient needs and the full burden of their disease.

 

Improving healthcare by understanding the patient perspective 

This initiative aligns closely with the Fresenius principles, particularly our commitment to patient-centric care. It reminds us that healthcare is, at its core, human to human.

By fostering deeper empathy and insight, it empowers colleagues to serve patients beyond expectations and develop solutions that truly address their daily struggles. Whether in direct patient care or the development of innovative therapies, understanding the patient perspective is essential to improving healthcare. Committed to Life, the Fresenius promise, reflects this belief.

 

Nutrition is a topic that surrounds us every day. While we often talk about obesity and weight loss diets, we actually overlook that the opposite, meaning malnutrition or undernutrition, can be as detrimental. We speak of malnutrition when the body is not provided with enough nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining all vital body functions.

When our nutritional status is not optimal, the body becomes less resilient in facing challenges like illness, colds, or infections. Improving our nutritional status will therefore support and protect our body.

(Published: November 2025)

50 Years of Fresubin 

Fresubin® is Fresenius Kabi’s enteral nutrition brand. Since 1975, it has been available to patients in more than 75 countries worldwide. Fresubin® products are intended for the dietary management of people who experience challenges meeting their nutritional needs through regular food intake alone. 

Used in a variety of care contexts - from chronic conditions to recovery and aging -it supports healthcare professionals in addressing patients’ nutritional requirements. When eating becomes difficult, medical nutrition becomes an important part of patient care.

 

• Find out more about medical nutrition.
• Find out more about Fresubin on fresubin.com or read our the full "50 years of Fresubin" story on fresenius-kabi.com

(Published: December 2025)

Concentration fills the operating room, high-resolution images can be seen on several screens, the camera view penetrates deep into the finest branches of the bronchial tree, while a so-called digital twin – the personalized 3D plan of a lung – provides guidance. Dr. Joanna Krist, Senior Pulmonary Physician in Heckeshorn Lung Clinic at Helios Hospital Emil von Behring in Berlin, is looking at her control panel. With a steady hand, she guides an ultrathin, flexible catheter deep into the airways of her 59-year-old patient. He has been a heavy smoker all his life, now there is a suspicion of lung cancer. Krist follows the virtual path of the catheter on the central navigation monitor – bright blue glowing lines show her the course to the destination point: a tiny shadow in the lung tissue. A small tissue sample, which she will take shortly, should now provide certainty.

What sounds like a high-tech future has long been reality: Doctors at the highly specialized Helios lung cancer centers in Berlin and Wiesbaden are already setting new standards in the early diagnosis of disease with the robot-assisted “Ion endoluminal system” for bronchoscopy.

What you should know about lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Germany and one of the most dangerous oncological diseases of all. Around 45,000 people in the country die of it every year – because the disease is often only diagnosed at an advanced stage. “The problem is that in the early stages, lung cancer causes hardly any symptoms or even discomfort, so it is usually discovered late – often when metastases are already present and treatment is no longer possible,” explains Prof. Dr. Tim Hirche, Director of the Clinic for Pulmonology at Helios HSK Wiesbaden.

The Ion system marks a turning point here. “The new robotic system for bronchoscopy is a game changer,” says Dr. Krist. “We can use it to get to the deepest lung tissue and can even reach millimeter-sized suspicious nodules – so-called coin lesions – and take samples. This has not been possible with endoscopy until now.”

Her colleague, Prof. Hirche, adds: “Ion enables us to give our patients certainty much earlier – and thus often offer them the chance of treatment. It is a real paradigm shift in the field of pulmonology.” The Ion system combines robotics, imaging techniques, and interdisciplinary medical expertise in a hitherto unparalleled manner. Find out more in the box.

Certified by the German Cancer Society, the Helios lung cancer centers in Berlin and Wiesbaden are among the first hospitals in Germany to use the robotic system for regular patient care. The technology also has scientific support at both Helios sites, with patients suitable for the procedure also being able to participate in studies.

From diagnosis to therapy

If the suspicion of lung cancer is confirmed after the examination, an interdisciplinary network immediately comes into play at Helios. Lung specialists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists get together on the tumor board to discuss the individual treatment plan. “Depending on the stage, this treatment can range from minimally invasive surgery in one of our two robotics centers to radiation therapy and chemotherapy or immunotherapy,” says Prof. Dr. Torsten Bauer, Chief Pulmonology Physician in Heckeshorn Lung Clinic at Helios Hospital Emil von Behring.

“The precise diagnostics using the robotic system enables us to start treatment much earlier,” stresses the specialist. With the new procedure, physicians are moving a step closer to the goal of diagnosing lung cancer earlier, less invasively, and more precisely – before symptoms even appear. For patients, this means a much lower risk, less stress, less uncertainty – and, ideally, an opportunity to gain crucial time for early treatment.

Further information

The Ion endoluminal system is a robot-assisted bronchoscopy system that allows physicians to safely reach even tiny changes in the lung tissue. Before the actual procedure – bronchoscopy – the planning software creates a detailed 3D model – the digital twin – on the basis of the CT scan carried out in advance. This makes it possible to work out the optimal pathway to the suspicious site – in a similar way to a GPS or a navigation system.

During the examination, which is carried out under anesthesia, the highly flexible catheter, equipped with sensors and a camera, is inserted into the bronchi via a breathing tube and guided with millimeter precision. At the same time, the medical practitioners also check its position with the help of state-of-the-art scanning technology – a so-called cone beam CT. Thanks to precise real-time imaging, even the smallest coin lesions can be reached with pinpoint accuracy. Tissue samples can then be taken and analyzed in a procedure that is less invasive for the patient, with a lower risk of complications than with previous procedures.

#FutureFresenius is making the company fit for the future: Fresenius is focussing on its Operating Companies Fresenius Kabi and Fresenius Helios, so on the three therapy platforms (Bio)Pharma, MedTech and Care Provision. They cater to system-critical areas of healthcare and are geared toward value creation and profitable growth. The two Operating Companies are to now also work together more closely. And the brand identity must reflect and support this.

(Published: May 2024)

Fresenius CEO Michael Sen introduced the new brand identity to the public at the Annual General Meeting in May 2024. It will now be rolled out across the Group by the end of the year.

“Fresenius is now fresher and more modern. The company logo has not been changed entirely, but rather revamped. Among others, we have updated the color palette to fit perfectly with the digital world. This brand image stands for a new Fresenius. Internally, we hope that the uniform brand identity will help us to grow even closer together as Team Fresenius. Because regardless where we work, we are all Fresenius. Externally, we want Fresenius to be recognized as a leading global healthcare company. A brand is always a promise. For us, our promise is “Committed to Life,” whereby we consistently strive to improve people’s lives”, said Michael Sen, CEO of Fresenius.

A person is more than their illness

With Fresenius Kabi, Helios and, Quirónsalud, the company has a unique portfolio and expertise. It understands the life dimensions of illness and health better than any pure medical technology or pharmaceutical company ever could. The new brand identity aims to support exactly this: The new Fresenius. Because regardless of where employees work, they are all Fresenius! Externally, the company wants to create a consistent image and to be recognized as a leading global healthcare company. Which is why Fresenius has revamped all aspects of the brand image: the logos, colors and shapes, fonts and images. Particularly the bright, modern color palette perfectly fits into the digital world. The Kabi, Helios, and Quirónsalud logos will remain. However, they will be incorporated into the new Fresenius world visually so that it is always clear that Fresenius is ONE team.

Fresenius sees that people are more than just their illness. It sees the lives they lead – within their families, their communities, and their jobs. It accompanies people throughout their whole lives, for better or for worse. Fresenius is there when it matters. This is what the entire #TeamFresenius works toward each and every day with its 190,000 colleagues.

A brand is always a promise; for Fresenius, a promise to its customers – and especially its patients. The Fresenius promise is “Committed to Life.” The company consistently strives to improve people’s lives.

Key brand elements: more than the sum of its parts

Logo

The new Fresenius logo expresses the company’s self-image as a symbol and word mark. The geometric lines of the existing logo have been replaced with more emotional and organic forms. At the same time, its shape reminds of the “F” in Fresenius and brings the company’s brands together with a new common color scheme.

“Bond for Life”

One key design element is the “Bond for Life,” which derives from the lifelines of humans. It symbolizes the different needs that humans have during various phases in their lives. The “Bond for Life” is inspired by the lifeline in the palm of our hands and signifies people’s needs during the different phases in their lives – with all their ups and downs. These reflect the connection between all of the Fresenius businesses, which support people at every stage in their lives as best possible.

Rollout by the end of the year

Fresenius has planned the implementation of the relaunch in phases: The first phase is completed with the Annual General Meeting and introduction of the new Fresenius brand at corporate level. 

Now it's the Operating Companies' turn next: Their appearances will be harmonized with the new Fresenius brand presence and drive the launch forward together. Cross-business teams are already working together here. There will also be information and guidelines on this in the coming weeks - until then, the previous design of the Operating Companies will apply. 

The final harmonization and completed new brand architecture should be jointly defined and introduced by the end of the year.

Alma Fredricksen and her partner were about to start a family when she discovered a lump in her breast. After mammography and ultrasound, it was clear that she had breast cancer. On the same day, she found out that she was pregnant – news that made the situation even more emotional. Fredricksen began a course of chemotherapy and discovered that many of the drugs administered were supplied by Fresenius Kabi, the company she worked for. This gave her peace of mind – and filled her with pride.

“Fresenius Kabi products were used throughout my treatment, from the chemotherapy to the birth of my daughter. I have now regained my health and given birth to a healthy child,” says Fredricksen, who was treated in the US. What the patient experienced completely changed her view of her company. “I have first-hand knowledge of how my colleagues work every day to help ensure that patients like me receive comprehensive care and the best possible therapy,” she says.

(Published: January 2026)

Terrifying diagnosis: breast cancer. But the chances of being cured are higher than ever

Breast cancer. Words that can stop a person in their tracks and turn their life upside down in an instant. With around 74,500 new cases each year, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Germany – and around 700 men are also affected. 

But the chances of being cured are now higher than ever. Thanks to better screening and modern forms of treatment, mortality rates are continuously falling. “Education delivered by experts is particularly important,” says Prof. Vesna Bjelic-Radisic, Chief Physician in the Breast Center at Helios University Hospital Wuppertal (HUKW). “It is equally essential that women take advantage of the screening services. Studies reveal that more consistent participation in mammography screening programs could prevent a further 20 to 30 percent of deaths. The earlier we detect breast cancer, the greater the chances of a cure.”

Fresenius – a company with a common mission to ensure the best possible care for patients

Fresenius is synonymous with modern medicine and reliable care – worldwide. Whether in hospitals, laboratories, production facilities, outpatient clinics, or administration offices, people everywhere are pursuing the same goal – to improve the lives of patients. This mission ranges from prevention and diagnosis to therapy and aftercare, with the focus always on people – as patients, relatives or employees. That is especially the case for breast cancer treatment, where medical teams and researchers work closely together to ensure the best possible care.

Fresenius Kabi plays an important role along the care journey

Fresenius Kabi plays an important role along the care journey, with Pharma and Nutrition in the focus. This means not only during the therapy itself, but also in the prehabilitation stage – i.e., when preparing for procedures – and in the course of outpatient aftercare. 

Fresenius Kabi offers a wide range of oncology medicines, including chemotherapeutic drugs and biosimilars, which are also used in breast cancer treatment. 

Adequate and suitable nutrition for patients undergoing oncological treatment is an area of high unmet need and one that Fresenius Kabi can support with specialized products in both parenteral and enteral nutrition, to help improve quality of life outcomes and reduce side effects. 

Helios delivers expertise and empathy in breast cancer care provision

Helios has over 50 certified breast centers in Germany, where doctors from across a wide range of disciplines work closely together. Modern imaging techniques, minimally invasive surgery, and systemic and personalized therapy are all standard here, along with aftercare and rehabilitation services. The medical and nursing teams not only guarantee high-quality medical care, but also provide education and offer psychosocial support with a great deal of empathy. 

“A cancer diagnosis never affects the body alone,” says Prof. Vesna Bjelic-Radisic “We support our patients through all phases – from their initial diagnosis to their return to life. Rather than just treating the tumor, it’s about seeing the whole person in their life situation.”

Quirónsalud professionals use cutting-edge multidisciplinary procedures 

Quirónsalud, the main private hospital operator in Spain and part of the Fresenius Group, also offers breast cancer patients the highest level of care. At its centers, professionals use cutting-edge multidisciplinary procedures: from digital mammography and 3D tomosynthesis to intraoperative radiotherapy and personalized hormonal and chemotherapy treatments. 

Special emphasis is always placed on individualized therapy: interdisciplinary teams adapt each treatment to the type of biological tumor and the patient’s circumstances. “Compared to recent years, we are witnessing a revolution in the early diagnosis and treatment of these tumors. In both early and advanced disease, the majority of patients are cured, and the most chronic patients have an excellent life prognosis,” explains Dr. Lucía Gonzalez Cortijo, head of the Medical Oncology Service at Quirónsalud Madrid University Hospital.

Fresenius is also actively involved in research

Fresenius is also actively involved in research. One model institution is Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, whose breast center under the direction of Prof. Vesna Bjelic-Radisic was named “Germany’s best study center” by the German Breast Group. Patients are given access to innovative therapies here – often long before they are generally available. 

Another hotbed of research can be found at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch, where Prof. Michael Untch has been researching antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for over 20 years. These combine targeted antibodies with cell-killing agents and offer new hope, particularly for patients who have exhausted all other treatment options. In a long-term study, around 90 percent of women who received such medicine survived – even though they previously had a very poor prognosis. 

Quirónsalud is also involved in international studies on new diagnostic and treatment approaches – focusing on the combination of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, for example. Its centers in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville are conducting various Phase II and III studies in conjunction with the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), Spanish universities, and other European partners. Fresenius employees are committed to rising to all these challenges with the aim of enabling patients to make a return to leading a normal, healthy life. 

Just like Alma Fredricksen: Following her successful treatment, she has returned to work and resumed her former life. And is grateful to be part of it all again. “Behind every order, every project, and every decision are people who we can help in a very specific way,” says Fredricksen.

Further information

Further information and the latest articles on the subject of breast cancer can be found on the Helios website: www.helios-gesundheit.de/brustkrebs

(Published: February 2026)

A face in front of a screen. A brief glance at a painting. A barely perceptible twitch of the facial muscles; subtle changes in skin response; the eyes lingering on specific details of the image. These subtle cues, which often go unnoticed in everyday life, are precisely captured in the research project “Emociones a través del arte.” In May 2024, Quirónsalud, our Spanish hospital business, launched the project in collaboration with Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, both in Madrid. The central question was: What emotions does art trigger in us? And can this impact be measured objectively and quantitatively? This was the first scientific study of its kind.

Over a period of eight weeks, researchers examined the reactions of 127 individuals, including patients form Quirónsalud. Selected paintings from different periods and various collections of the museum were presented to them digitally. Using a range of methods, the researchers analyzed which visual elements attracted particular attention and which emotions the artworks evoked in viewers. 

The results are clear: color, composition, and lighting play a decisive role in influencing emotions in measurable ways. Some images produced surprisingly consistent emotional responses, while others defied common expectations. And: some works predominantly triggered positive emotions, while others exclusively elicited negative ones. The study thus provides solid, data-based evidence for the long-debated assumption: that art does not only work subjectively, but can deliberately influence viewers’ emotional states, with potential implications for well-being and health. 

Relevant here is that the individuals came into contact with the artworks exclusively within the framework of the study, i.e., in a controlled research environment.

“The experiences of our patients are a central component of our understanding of health. Initiatives such as the ‘Emociones a través del arte’ project not only help us to deepen our knowledge based on scientific evidence. They also open up entirely new perspectives, enabling us to continuously work towards excellence in care and improving people’s well-being,” says Dr. Cristina Caramés, Quirónsalud's Director of Healthcare and Research. 

The results of the research project, published in spring 2025, by no means mark the end of the investigation. Plans include further analysis of the collected data and translating it into various formats, such as scientific publications or digital applications, as well as using it for new research approaches. The aim is to deepen understanding of the precise relationship between art, emotion, and health. 

In the longer term, this is expected to open up new ways of making the positive effects of art accessible to patients – in a structured, evidence-based manner.

Whether in a scientific setting or in everyday hospital care, both Quirónsalud initiatives follow the same conviction: health encompasses more than just medical parameters and guideline-based treatment. Emotional stability and people’s subjective sense of well-being are equally important factors, particularly in the context of serious illness. Quirónsalud therefore combines innovative research and professional practice. Art thus becomes a building block of an expanded, holistic understanding of health.
https://www.museothyssen.org/en/special/emotions-art

(Published: February 2026)

Grit Otto-Moritz is not sitting in the treatment room at Helios Hanseklinikum Stralsund for the first time. The 60-year-old agricultural engineer was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2013. At the end of 2025, she was diagnosed with lung cancer; she has overcome both diseases. In mid-January, however, another serious diagnosis followed: the former breast cancer had metastasized and spread to her bones. 

At Helios Hanseklinikum Stralsund, her medical history is therefore being reviewed once again in its entirety. Findings are reassessed, assumptions questioned—nothing can be overlooked now. For her treating physician, Dr. med. Hussein Abdallah, Senior Consultant in General, Thoracic and Visceral Surgery, diagnostic precision is paramount. The patient experiences firsthand that at Helios, doctors do not look at individual diagnoses in isolation, but focus on identifying connections. 

Her story is emblematic of many people affected by cancer, particularly patients with complex or multiple diagnoses. It illustrates why individualized cancer care is crucial—and why World Cancer Day offers an opportunity to reassess this commitment time and again. 

Fresenius’ role – cancer care along the entire patient journey 

On World Cancer Day, Fresenius highlights its contribution to cancer care and shows how colleagues across the company work every day to support people living with cancer in the best possible way.   

Fresenius accompanies patients throughout all phases of their disease. Fresenius Kabi, Helios and Quirónsalud provide care that brings together medical treatment, innovative medical products, modern technologies and supportive services.    

Support ranges from prevention and early detection to diagnostics and personalized therapies, acute clinical treatment, as well as aftercare, long-term follow-up and palliative or home-based care.   

At the center is always the person—patients as well as employees. Physicians, nurses, therapists, researchers and many other professional groups jointly take responsibility for cancer care that is individualized and reliable. 

Fresenius Kabi: Efforts tailored to address the changing needs and challenges faced by cancer patients 

Cancer rarely follows a straight path—and neither does care. Therapy phases change, recovery occurs in waves. This reality repeatedly confronts patients with new challenges. Fresenius Kabi employees align their work precisely with this reality.   

In addition to tumor treatment itself, this includes reducing side effects and pain, maintaining physical strength.   

Fresenius Kabi contributes to this with a broad portfolio of treatments and services. This includes biologic medicines and essential drugs used in both treatment and supportive care.   

These are complemented by infusion technologies, devices and technical expertise that ensure safe and reliable administration.   

Biosimilars improve security of supply and access to effective targeted therapies, particularly for complex and multiple cancer conditions. Another key component is clinical nutrition, which supports patients whose nutritional status is impaired by illness or therapy. 

Clinical oncology at Helios – individualized care for complex diseases 

At Helios, cancer treatment is also far more than a single therapy. Across more than 90 hospitals nationwide, every course of treatment begins with a careful review of the patient’s medical history and current life situation. Based on this, specialized teams develop individually tailored treatment concepts. Helios draws on the expertise of a nationwide network of certified cancer centers.   

Grit Otto-Moritz’s story shows how important this approach is. Dr. med. Hussein Abdallah explains: “When a patient has already had multiple cancer diagnoses, particularly careful evaluation of all findings is essential to ensure that an additional tumor is not overlooked. In interdisciplinary tumor conferences, colleagues from different specialties contribute their expertise to define the best possible treatment.”   

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Daniel Pink, Head of the Oncology Center at Helios, also emphasizes the importance of close collaboration: “The best treatment outcomes for the diverse and often complex cancer diseases are achieved through close interdisciplinary cooperation among many experts. At Helios, we also work closely with office-based physicians during follow-up care.”