To Join the Prostate Cancer – Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) Belgium:
🌐 Simply visit www.pcpep.org/nl and enter your contact information on the Home page. That’s all you need to do – one of our PC-PEP Belgium Project Coordinator will reach out and guide you through enrolment.

Opening in Belgium on October 1, 2026

The Prostate Cancer – Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) is a free, six-month, home-based program designed to support the physical and mental health and quality of life of people diagnosed with prostate cancer.

PC-PEP brings together evidence-based strategies addressing exercise, pelvic floor health, nutrition, stress reduction, intimacy and connection, and social support.

PC-PEP is being offered in Belgium in collaboration with Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University as part of the international PC-PEP Phase 4 implementation study.

Interested in PC-PEP Belgium?

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are interested in participating in PC-PEP Belgium, please visit:

pcpep.org/nl

Enter your contact information through the PC-PEP website. The PC-PEP Halifax team will receive your inquiry and forward your contact information to the Belgian study team at Ghent University Hospital, who will contact you about the next steps.

Questions?

Email: pep@nshealth.ca

What Does PC-PEP Include?

PC-PEP is delivered primarily at home through daily emails and videos over six months.

The program includes:

Exercise – aerobic and strength training, with resistance equipment provided.
Pelvic floor muscle training – exercises supporting urinary and sexual function.
Stress reduction – practical relaxation and mind-body strategies.
Nutrition – healthy eating education for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and cooking resources.
Intimacy and connection – information and strategies supporting relationships and sexual well-being.
Social support – opportunities to connect with other PC-PEP participants.
Monthly videoconferences – optional online monthly ongoing meetings during and after program completion with the PC-PEP team and other participants.

PC-PEP is designed to complement, not replace, the medical care provided by your healthcare team.

Monthly PC-PEP Belgium Videoconferences

Belgian PC-PEP participants are invited to an optional monthly online videoconference scheduled at a convenient time for participants in Belgium.

Belgium PC-PEP Monthly Videoconferences

Belgian PC-PEP participants are invited to an optional live monthly videoconference with the PC-PEP team and the wider PC-PEP international participant community.

These meetings are much more than educational presentations. Each month, participants can:
– hear up-to-date scientific and clinical information relevant to prostate cancer, recovery, and quality of life;
– ask questions and receive guidance from PC-PEP experts;
– share experiences, challenges, and successes;
– learn from other participants; and
– connect with a large and supportive PC-PEP community.
Importantly, the meetings are interactive even across languages. The PC-PEP team presents and speaks in English, and Belgian participants can follow the conversation using live Dutch translated captions in Zoom. Belgian participants can also speak and ask questions in Dutch, while the PC-PEP team can follow their contributions through live English translation/captions.

This allows Belgian participants to participate actively in the discussion, not simply watch it, and to benefit from both expert advice and peer support.

Belgium Monthly Meeting
First Tuesday of every month
5:00–6:00 PM Belgium time
12:00–1:00 PM Atlantic Time

Registered participants receive a separate email each month with the Zoom link and information about that month’s topic.

The main monthly videoconference is also recorded so participants who are unable to attend live can access the educational session afterward. However, attending live provides the additional opportunity to ask questions, interact with the PC-PEP team, and connect directly with other participants.

How does the live translation work?
Zoom’s live translated captions allow participants and the PC-PEP team to communicate across languages:
PC-PEP team speaks English → Belgian participants can read Dutch captions
Belgian participant speaks Dutch → PC-PEP team can read English captions
This means you are welcome to participate and ask questions in Dutch.

The meeting is also recorded so that participants who cannot attend live can access the session afterward.

Meet the PC-PEP Belgium Team

Dr. Renée Bultijnck, PhD, Post Doctoral Fellow, PC-PEP Belgium Site Principal Investigator/Lead

Scientific Researcher, Department of Radiotherapy and Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium

Dr. Bultijnck is the Site Principal Investigator and Lead for PC-PEP in Belgium.

Dr. Renée Bultijnck is a Scientific Researcher and Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Radiotherapy and Experimental Cancer Research at Ghent University. Her research focuses on rehabilitation interventions in men with prostate cancer, the influence of cancer therapies on patients’ quality of life, and approaches to positively influencing quality of life.

Laura Coekelbergs, PhD Researcher Student, PC-PEP Belgium, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiation Oncology Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium

Laura Coekelbergs is a PhD researcher student in the Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiation Oncology Research Group, at Ghent University. Laura holds a Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology. She completed her internship at the Ghent University Hospital Cancer Center, where she worked with breast cancer patients. As part of her PhD, Laura is working on the PC-PEP program in Belgium. Her research is driven by a strong interest in improving the quality of life of people living with cancer through evidence-based supportive care.

Laura works closely with Dr. Renée Bultijnck on PC-PEP implementation in Belgium.

Emma Van Damme, Study Coordinator, PC-PEP Belgium, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiation Oncology Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium

After working as an adjunct pharmacist, Emma has been working as a study coordinator within the Department of Radiation Oncology at Ghent University Hospital and Ghent University for several years. In this role, she coordinates clinical studies, with a particular focus on urological oncology, alongside studies in breast and head and neck cancer. Within the Belgian PC-PEP team, Emma will take on a supporting role and work closely with Renée and Laura across different research activities and in the follow-up of participants.

Nancy Vanderstichele, Research Nurse, PC-PEP Belgium, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Radiation Oncology Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium

In this role, she is responsible for the initiation and coordination of clinical studies, as well as the follow-up of patients participating in these studies. Her work primarily focuses on patients with prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers.

Within the Belgian PC-PEP team, Nancy takes on a supporting role and works closely with Renée and Laura across different research activities and in the follow-up of participants.

International PC-PEP Leadership

Dr. Gabriela Ilie, PhD, PC-PEP International Principal Investigator/Lead and Co-PCPEP Program Creator with Dr. Rob Rutledge

Professor and Scientist, Departments of Urology, Radiation Oncology and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Canada

Dr. Gabriela Ilie is the co-creator and Principal Investigator of PC-PEP and leads its scientific research and international implementation. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, her research focuses on improving the quality of life for prostate cancer patients and advancing patient-centered care. Gabriela is the recipient of the 2024 Public Impact Award, sponsored by Research Nova Scotia, Canada, and Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology 2025 Innovation Award recognizing her exceptional contributions to research, cancer survivorship and its impact on society. Dalhousie University profile for Dr. Ilie.

Dr. Rob Rutledge, PC-PEP International Clinical Lead and Co-PCPEP Program Creator with Dr. Gabriela Ilie

Associate Professor, Departments of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Canada

Dr. Rob Rutledge is a Radiation Oncologist and co-creator of PC-PEP and provides clinical leadership for the program. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, his research focuses on cancer survivorship Rob is the recipient of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology 2025 Innovation Award recognizing his exceptional contributions to research, cancer survivorship and its impact on society.

The PC-PEP Story

PC-PEP was developed in Canada by Dr. Gabriela Ilie and Dr. Rob Rutledge and has expanded internationally through partnerships with clinical and research teams.

Learn more about the people and experiences behind PC-PEP by watching our documentary: