The European Breast Cancer Coalition held its first Breast Cancer Advocacy Leader Conference on 25 September 2010 for national representatives of its 45 member countries to further equip them in their advocacy to reduce the vast disparities in breast cancer mortality across Europe.
The European Breast Cancer Coalition held its first Breast Cancer Advocacy Leader Conference on 25 September 2010 for national representatives of its 45 member countries to further equip them in their advocacy to reduce the vast disparities in breast cancer mortality across Europe. The conference was supported by the European Union, in the framework of the Public Health Programme.
“In the European Union, 331,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 90,000 die of the disease. Whether or not a woman survives breast cancer should not depend on where she lives. We are therefore encouraging EUROPA DONNA advocates to build on their current advocacy experience and advocate for implementation of the equal standards of care exemplified in European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis,” said Ellen Verschuur, EUROPA DONNA President.
The conference programme also promoted healthy ways of life, using the EUROPA DONNA Breast Health Day campaign as a model. The Coalition’s third annual Breast Health Day, on 15 October, focused on “Making Healthy Choices” and was the first global campaign.
In addition to EUROPA DONNA members, the conference’s invited faculty represented the International Agency for Research on Cancer and World Health Organization (IARC/WHO) and the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA).
Some of the programme highlights included:
Current evidence about the efficacy of mammography screening programmes set up according to the EU Guidelines: overcoming obstacles in the implementation of screening programmes
What the EU Guidelines say about Specialist Breast Units: overcoming obstacles in the implementation of Specialist Breast Units Epidemiology and facts about lifestyle and breast cancer prevention
Main sessions were followed by interactive workshops for advocates to exchange experiences, ideas and best practices.
This conference gave advocates materials to further the incredible work that they have been doing across the continent.
"We are pleased that the European Union has recognised the importance of this endeavour and are helping us get their guidelines – one of our main advocacy initiatives – implemented,” said Susan Knox, EUROPA DONNA Executive Director.
To support Breast Health Day 2010 and join the campaign, please visit:
· http://www.breasthealthday.org/
· www.facebook.com/EuropaDonna
· http://twitter.com/BreastHealthDay
· http://www.youtube.com/BreastHealthDay
* This conference arose from the project “ED Breast Cancer Advocacy Leader Conference” which has received funding from the European Union, in the framework of the Public Health Programme.