Support is needed for women with incurable breast cancer to help make every day count
THE story of breast cancer in Ireland is, for many women and their friends and families, a very challenging one. It is a story of shock, sadness and struggle, but thankfully, advanced treatment means that often it is also a story of survival.
Irish breast cancer survival rates and treatment are improving and as we mark the fourth annual National Cancer Week this week, there is much to be acknowledged and celebrated in terms of the improving national breast cancer picture.
However, while these are the positives, the fact remains that there are almost 30,000 women in Ireland living with breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Registry.
Ireland’s incidence of breast cancer is, as yet, 12.5pc higher than the EU average, with 2,800 new cases diagnosed each year and over 700 women dying of the disease annually.
As research continues into why this is the case, and Government and industry focus on how to reduce breast cancer incidence over time, the conversation cannot ignore the experience of the women who are currently living with breast cancer – of all stages – and how we, as a society, can support them.
Of the breast cancer cases in Ireland, around 675 women are diagnosed annually with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer (mBC), the term used when breast cancer has spread to other organs in the body.
Unfortunately, this type of cancer remains incurable and despite treatment advances, around 30pc of women initially diagnosed with earlier stages of breast cancer will eventually develop this type of disease.
For these women, with this type of breast cancer, their focus turns to disease-management, and improving their quality of life, to making every day count.
Yet, at a national level and indeed at a European level, it cannot be said that the policy and legislative focus has kept pace with this patient experience.
Women with metastatic breast cancer are unfortunately not experiencing the same increase in survival rates and improved quality of life compared to patients with early-stage breast cancers.
These women need our attention, they need policy and societal support, and indeed, they need scientific investment in metastatic breast cancer.
While their disease remains incurable, they cannot be excluded from the improving national breast cancer picture.
While the median survival rates for metastatic breast cancer are two to three years, many women can live much longer.
IT behoves us all, at a national and European level, to do what we can to work to extend and improve these statistics and to help provide a better quality of life for these patients.
Today sees the launch in Ireland of the European School of Oncology’s ‘Global mBC Vision 2025 Call-to-Action’, which has identified 10 goals that, if followed through in Ireland and across member states, will improve patient care and quality of life for women with metastatic breast cancer.
These goals include ensuring access to multi-disciplinary care, improving patients’ workplace rights and providing access to financial support to patients and their families.
‘Global mBC Vision 2025 Call-to-Action’ follows last year’s global report on metastatic breast cancer, which highlighted the misconceptions and misunderstandings about this advanced cancer, as well as the isolation and helplessness that patients, their families and friends, can often feel.
There can be significant challenges in relation to employment, communication and general understanding.
To that end, I recently led the submission of a pilot project proposal to the European Commission with the support of 15 MEP colleagues from countries across the EU.
The proposal outlined a plan and funding for the commission to roll
Metastatic breast cancer is a difficult topic, but it is one that we cannot ignore. It is time for a meaningful conversation in Ireland... on what can be done to improve patient quality of life
out a scheme to help metastatic breast cancer patients.
As part of the proposal, the commission would begin the process of collecting data from across the EU on the employment status of metastatic cancer patients to improve knowledge on the employment status of people with metastatic cancer and to improve policy and provision of services for patients.
My proposal suggested focusing on one tumour type, such as breast cancer, as a starting point.
Cancer incidence is rising in Europe and remains the main killer in some member states.
Indeed, metastatic breast cancer is, of course, a difficult topic, but it is one that we cannot ignore.
It is time to have a meaningful conversation on metastatic breast cancer in Ireland.
This conversation will involve a wide range of stakeholders including patients themselves, patient groups, healthcare providers and policymakers, as well as the healthcare companies who are delivering the treatments.
But it’s not just about talking. It’s about meaningful action as to how the widening gap between early and advanced-stage breast cancer treatment can be narrowed, and what can and should be done to improve patients’ quality of life.
As we mark National Cancer Week and head into Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, there is no better time to focus on mBC.
We can continue to improve the story.