Radiotherapeut-oncoloog Leonard Bokhorst en ondernemer Diederik Visser lanceerden ruim een jaar geleden Mauro Medisch Specialisten, een initiatief dat kankerpatiënten begeleidt met onafhankelijk oncologisch advies. Niet als vervanging van de ziekenhuiszorg, maar als aanvulling daarop. Want bij kanker ontbreekt het zelden aan informatie, maar wel vaak aan iemand die overzicht houdt.

Een kankerdiagnose plaatst mensen voor ingrijpende beslissingen. Het ziekenhuisgesprek is vaak inhoudelijk goed: behandelopties worden toegelicht, bijwerkingen en risico’s komen aan bod. Toch verlaten veel patiënten de spreekkamer met meer vragen dan antwoorden. Wat is bewezen effectief en wat zijn de kansen van een experimentele behandeling? Welke opties bestaan er buiten het ‘eigen’ ziekenhuis? Weegt een behandeling met zware bijwerkingen op tegen de kwaliteit van leven?

Na een diagnose kanker zoeken sommige mensen naar aanvullende mogelijkheden naast de reguliere behandeling. Eén van de vragen die daarbij kan ontstaan is:
kan vitamine C‑therapie iets betekenen bij kanker?

Bij Mauro Medisch Specialisten vinden wij het belangrijk om deze vraag zorgvuldig en eerlijk te bespreken. Niet om valse hoop te wekken, maar om u te helpen begrijpen wat bekend is, wat niet bewezen is en wat mogelijk kan passen binnen een bredere ondersteunende aanpak.

Tijdens of na een kankerdiagnose zoeken veel mensen naar aanvullende manieren om zichzelf te ondersteunen. Dan ontstaat al snel de vraag: kunnen supplementen of alternatieve middelen iets betekenen voor mijn kankerbehandeling?

Bij Mauro Medisch Specialisten vinden we het belangrijk om deze vraag open, zorgvuldig en zonder vooroordelen te bespreken. Niet alles wat wordt aangeboden is zinvol of onschadelijk, maar niet elke vorm van aanvullende ondersteuning is per definitie verkeerd. Het gaat om inzicht en samenhang.

Krijg ik in ieder ziekenhuis dezelfde behandeling bij kanker?

Waarom goede zorg niet altijd identiek is

Nederland staat bekend om zijn hoogwaardige kankerzorg. Veel mensen gaan er daarom van uit dat zij in elk ziekenhuis automatisch dezelfde behandeling krijgen. Toch leeft bij veel patiënten de vraag: maakt het uit waar ik word behandeld?

Het korte antwoord is: nee, de zorg is niet overal precies hetzelfde - en dat is niet per se een probleem. Het vraagt wel om uitleg en soms om een bewuste keuze.

“Passende zorg” is uitgegroeid tot een sleutelbegrip in de Nederlandse gezondheidszorg. Volgens Zorginstituut Nederland draait het om zorg die bewezen effectief is, waarde toevoegt en samen met de patiënt tot stand komt - met oog voor iemands persoonlijke situatie en voorkeuren.

Toch wringt daar in de praktijk soms iets.

Wanneer iemand ernstig ziek wordt, verschuift de aandacht al snel naar behandelopties, protocollen en medische mogelijkheden. Wat kan er allemaal? Wat is technisch haalbaar? Maar minstens zo belangrijk is een andere vraag: welke keuze past - medisch én persoonlijk - bij deze situatie?

Want de meest intensieve of ingrijpende behandeling is niet voor iedere patiënt automatisch de beste optie. Binnen medisch verantwoorde en bewezen effectieve mogelijkheden spelen ook andere factoren een rol: levensfase, energieniveau, gezinssituatie, werk en de gewenste kwaliteit van leven. Passende zorg gaat daarom niet alleen over wat mogelijk is, maar juist over wat passend is - voor deze mens, op dit moment.

When is a second opinion a good idea?

Doubt is not mistrust, but caution

After receiving a cancer diagnosis, you are often presented with a treatment plan fairly quickly. In many cases, this is appropriate advice. Still, many people find themselves wondering: Is this really the best option for me, or would it make sense to seek a second opinion?

Am I making the right choice of treatment?

Between doubt, responsibility, and the need for certainty

After a cancer diagnosis, there comes a time when you have to make a decision. Perhaps a treatment plan has already been proposed, or there may even be several options on the table. And then that one question keeps coming back: am I making the right choice?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we hear these concerns every day. Not because our clients are indecisive, but because they realize just how significant the impact of this decision is—on their bodies, their lives, and their futures.

After receiving a cancer diagnosis, some people look beyond the treatment that is immediately recommended. This sometimes raises the question: Is cancer treatment abroad an option for me?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we recognize that this question stems from the need to make careful choices and not leave any options unexplored. Treatment abroad can offer added value in certain situations, but it always requires careful consideration.

How much treatment is enough for cancer?

When carrying on no longer feels like a given

During the course of cancer treatment, there comes a point for many people when the question changes. At first, the instinct is often to do everything possible. But later, a different doubt arises: how much treatment is enough?

Should I take every opportunity?
When does more treatment become too much?
And is continuing always better than stopping?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we hear these questions often. They touch on boundaries, capacity, and personal values—and deserve space and attention.

After a cancer diagnosis, treatment often seems like the obvious choice. Treatment options are presented one after another, and the idea quickly takes hold: do everything possible. Yet at some point, many people find themselves asking a different question:Do I actually want to continue treatment (
), or not?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we understand that this question can feel difficult, emotionally charged, and sometimes lonely. It’s a question with no standard answer—and that’s exactly why it deserves our attention.

Support for employees with cancer

When being a good employer really makes a difference

When an employee is diagnosed with cancer, it affects not only their health but also the organization. This raises a fundamental question for executives and HR leaders: how do you demonstrate leadership in a situation where humanity, responsibility, and business continuity intersect?

Supporting employees with cancer requires more than just practical arrangements. It requires careful attention, clear guidelines, and guidance that does justice to the complexity of the situation—for both the employee and the organization.

As a radiation oncologist, I see every day just how difficult this decision can be. The guidelines are clear: for certain risk profiles, hormone therapy improves outcomes. The recommendation is therefore often: go ahead with it.
But what is rarely discussed explicitly is that this is also a choice—and that this choice can have a major impact on your daily life.

What if you don't want chemotherapy?

The prospect of chemotherapy evokes strong emotions in many people. Perhaps chemotherapy has been recommended to you, but the idea doesn’t sit well with you. Or maybe you’re unsure whether the toll it takes is worth the benefits. This may lead you to ask: what if I don’t want chemotherapy?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we often encounter this uncertainty. It is an understandable and legitimate question that deserves careful consideration.

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy—what should I do?

Making a decision when your head and heart are full

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we speak every day with people who are facing a difficult treatment decision. You may recognize this situation: you’ve just been told you have cancer, you’re being bombarded with information, and now you also have to choose between treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Many people then think: “What’s the best choice? And what does this mean for my life?”

You're not the only one who feels that way.

What is the best cancer treatment for me? From diagnosis to a choice that’s right for you

You’ll never forget the moment you’re told you have cancer. Often, consultations, treatment recommendations, and medical terms follow in quick succession. Yet deep down, one question keeps coming back: what’s the best cancer treatment for me?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, everything starts with that question. Not with protocols or standard procedures, but with you as a person. Our oncologists and scientific advisors help you find peace of mind and clarity during a time filled with uncertainty and difficult decisions.

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. Going through it as an expat in the Netherlands can make things even more complicated. Many patients and employers ask the same questions: Am I receiving the right treatment? Do we need a second opinion? Who can help us navigate this process responsibly? At Mauro, we provide independent oncological guidance and second opinions for expats

Many people know that exercise is good for your health. But as soon as you’re diagnosed with cancer or undergoing treatment, doubts start to creep in.
You feel tired, maybe even exhausted. At the same time, you hear advice like “listen to your body.” That raises a logical question: should I exercise even though I’m so tired—or should I avoid it?

At Mauro Medical Specialists, we often encounter this uncertainty. The short answer: yes, exercise is especially important when you have cancer, but it should be done in a way that works for you.

Why treating oncologists can confidently refer patients to Mauro Medical Specialists. Radiation oncologist Dr. Leonard Bokhorst shares his perspective.

Internal medicine oncologist Dr. Aafke Honkoop joins Mauro Medical Specialists

Almost 10 months at Mauro Medical Specialists

What began as a conviction is now taking shape as something tangible. We’ve been operating Mauro Medical Specialists for nearly 10 months now, and our first clients are receiving active support from our oncologists, medical specialists, and lifestyle physicians. Their feedback?Very positive. The idea that a doctor is always there for them to offer independent input and advice on treatment choices gives them a great sense of peace of mind and reassurance. Our medical consultations and medical concierge services are proving to be a valuable complement to standard healthcare.