EUROPA DONNA - The European Breast Cancer Coalition

🎉 Congratulations to Rintasyöpäyhdistys - Europa Donna Finland ry on 20 years of advocacy, celebrated with a powerful International Women’s Day event attended by over 150 members and partners! 💙 Under the theme "The Power of Equality" the event focused on key issues in breast cancer care and patient rights: 🔹 MP Sari Sarkomaa highlighted the importance of screenings and peer support in improving patient outcomes. 🔹 Cancer specialist and psychotherapist Heidi Penttinen gave an insightful lecture on treating the person, not just the disease, showcasing different medical approaches. 🔹 A panel discussion with Chief Medical Officer Johanna Mattson, researcher Professor Juha Klefström, and Europa Donna Finland’s Chair Kaisa Martinkauppi-Vanninen explored patient involvement in treatment decisions, calling for shared decision-making in medical training and ambitious cancer research goals. 👏 Bravo to Europa Donna Finland for 20 years of dedication to breast cancer advocacy—here’s to many more! 💖

🌍💜 Last week, Europa Donna board members Violet Aroyo, Ingrid KRÜCKEN, and Fiorita Poulakaki, MD, PhD, FEBS, CEBS, along with our dedicated members, came together in Vienna for #SGBCC2025. 🔍 Insightful sessions, outstanding debates, and valuable networking opportunities made this event a key moment for the breast cancer advocacy community. ✨ Special focus topics included: 🔹 Optimising locoregional management: the axilla 🔹 The toxicity of treatments and their long-term impact 🔹 Minimising the burden with more tailored treatment for early breast cancer 🔹 The importance of designing patient-centred, purposeful, and pragmatic clinical trials – our past President Tanja Spanic participated in this session with a speech titled “What do WE really need?” We are incredibly proud of the advocates of Europa Donna who continue to join forces, voicing the needs of those affected by breast cancer and driving meaningful change. 👏

📣 The patient’s perspective is necessary to ensure that research projects and clinical trials are truly designed with the objective of either improving or saving the lives of people living with breast cancer. It is for this reason that Europa Donna believe that patients should be included in designing the research protocols as co-creators along with researchers and healthcare professionals. ➡️ Europa Donna only takes part in research projects and clinical trials that include patient representatives from their very inception. Among others, we are actively contributing to three pioneering initiatives: 🔹 DEFINITIVE – Demonstrating that personalized treatment decisions in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer can improve quality of life without affecting survival, while also reducing healthcare costs. 🔹 Path4Young – Exploring whether premenopausal women with high-risk, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer can safely avoid additional chemotherapy while maintaining treatment efficacy and improving long-term quality of life. 🔹 Cinderella Project – Developing an AI-based tool to help patients visualize post-surgery breast appearance, aiming to enhance confidence, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Patients are at the heart of research. Their voices matter. Their experiences shape progress. Together, we can drive meaningful change. 💙

The European Medicines Agency has just launched a new EU clinical trial map based on real-time data from the EU Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS): https://lnkd.in/dHTmFdnp Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can now easily search for ongoing trials by medical condition and location across the EU — in clear, lay-friendly language. It lists all clinical trials currently run in the EU, so - 8,738 clinical trials - in 8,495 trial sites - including trials that are recruiting, about to recruit, or ongoing Search results include details like trial phase, eligibility criteria, locations, contact info of investigators, and more — making it easier than ever to find and access relevant research. This is a breakthrough to improve transparency about clinical trials in the European Union, given the EU clinical trial website was so far really hard to navigate - made possible with the CTIS introduced with the EU Clinical Trials Regulation 536/2014. The map is currently available in English, with more EU languages coming soon. #ClinicalTrials #PatientAccess #EMA #CTIS #ResearchTransparency #ClinicalResearch

📣 The OECD's latest report, EU Country Cancer Profiles 2025, published on February 3, 2025, highlights persistent gaps in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment across Europe. When it comes to breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, disparities in screening and care remain a critical issue. 🔍 Key Findings on Breast Cancer: 📉 Survival Gaps: Despite advances in treatment, survival rates still vary widely across the EU, from 80% in Poland to 93% in Sweden. 🏥 Unequal Access to Screening: The average participation in breast cancer screening is just 56%, with some countries, like Poland, below 40%. 💊 Treatment Disparities: Access to specialized cancer centres and treatments varies significantly, with the number of nurses per cancer case differing fivefold across the EU. 🎗 Post-Treatment Support: Survivorship care, including psychological support and follow-up, needs improvement. 📢 What Needs to Change? ✅ Invest more in prevention & early detection. ✅ Ensure equal access to high-quality treatment. ✅ Strengthen policies to support survivors’ long-term well-being. Tackling these issues requires collective action from policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities. 📄 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ee2A8dN2 OECD-OCDE

🩷 March 8 – International Women’s Day 🩷 Today, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women everywhere. But we also acknowledge the challenges they face—especially when it comes to health. 📢 Did you know? 🔹 Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for 1 in 4 annual cancer cases worldwide. 🔹 In the EU-27, 1 in 11 women will develop breast cancer before the age of 74. 🔹 Nearly 604,900 women lose their lives to cancer in Europe every year—many of these deaths could be prevented with better screening and early detection. Yet, persistent disparities in research funding, clinical trial participation, healthcare availability, and treatment affordability continue to put women at a disadvantage. Financial barriers also play a critical role: 💰 Women, on average, earn less than men, experience more career interruptions, and are more likely to be in part-time or precarious jobs—impacting their ability to afford healthcare. 👩⚕️ Many women remain financially dependent on spouses or family members, limiting their autonomy in seeking timely medical care. ❤️ Women disproportionately shoulder unpaid caregiving, often prioritizing others’ well-being over their own, delaying necessary treatments. 👩👧👦 Caregivers need support too. Many women not only face health challenges themselves but also act as primary caregivers for loved ones with serious illnesses. Whether caring for a child, partner, or aging parent, caregivers frequently sacrifice their own health, financial stability, and emotional well-being. Without adequate support, they risk burnout and delayed medical care. At Europa Donna – The European Breast Cancer Coalition, we advocate for: ✔️ Increased awareness and education on breast cancer risks. ✔️ Accessible, population-based screening programs for all women. ✔️ More research and funding for women-specific cancers. ✔️ Financial protections to ensure no woman is left behind in accessing life-saving care. This International Women’s Day, let’s push for stronger policies that prioritize women’s health, equity, and financial security. Together, we can make a difference! 💪💖 #8march #internationalwomensday

🩷 Today is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day 🩷 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer, accounting for 15% of all cases. It is more likely to affect younger women and those with a BRCA gene mutation. Unlike other breast cancer types, TNBC lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it more difficult to treat with targeted therapies. Chemotherapy remains the most effective treatment. 📣 Research is urgently needed to develop specific therapies for this subtype. The scientific community must continue working towards better treatments and improved survival rates for people diagnosed with TNBC. Let's spread awareness! #TripleNegativeBreastCancerDay #TNBC #ActForTNBC

💫☁️⛄️ Our January & February ED-News is out! From advancing breast cancer research to shaping patient advocacy, in the first months of the year we have been actively engaged in key international meetings, groundbreaking projects, and policy initiatives. Read on for the latest updates on our collaborative efforts, upcoming events, and exciting achievements! ➡️ 🔗 https://bit.ly/41zTl5G ✨ Subscribe on our website at the bottom of the homepage so you don’t miss a thing!

💙 Men, check yourselves too! 💙 Did you know? 1 in 100 breast cancer cases occurs in men. While rare, male breast cancer is often diagnosed late due to lack of awareness. Early detection is key! 🔎 How to perform a self-exam: 1️⃣ Look: Stand in front of a mirror and check for any changes—lumps, swelling, or nipple retraction. 2️⃣ Feel: Use your fingers to examine your chest with a circular motion, covering the entire area, including under the armpits. 3️⃣ Notice: If you detect any lumps, skin dimpling, or unusual discharge, consult a doctor. 💡 Regular checks can save lives. Spread the word—breast cancer affects men too! 🎗️

💌 This Valentine’s Day, write a love letter to yourself. You are strong, beautiful, and resilient. Whether you're facing a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or advocating for awareness, your strength inspires us all. ➡️ What words of encouragement would you give yourself today? Share in the comments!