Breast cancer, what “tertiary prevention” is to reduce the risk of recurrence

Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer deeply marks a woman’s life. After diagnosis, interventions and therapies, the path continues again towards prevention, but it is not just about periodic checks. There is a lesser known but crucial level of prevention: the tertiary prevention. In tertiary prevention we focus on the Reduction of recurrence risk Which is a fundamental piece for the woman to resume her life with awareness and trust. We try to minimize the chances that the disease recurs, through example Aduvant therapies, Lifestyle changes and a constant monitoring. It is not only a medical question but an approach to life that allows you to face the future with greater serenity.

Tertiary prevention requires information, awareness and above all a Open dialogue with your doctor. To do this, you must be aware and in some cases you must request – if your doctor does not provide them spontaneously – what individual risk factors are. It is therefore, at the same time, a process of Empowerment, in which the woman becomes the protagonist of her health, learning to recognize the signs of her body, to manage her emotions and also request support and explanations from your doctor. In this context, the communication and support of patient associations play an essential role, give information and a sense of community.

The search for Europe woman Italy and the voices of experts on tertiary prevention

Recent research – conducted by Europe woman Italy With Iqvia and with the support of Novartis Italia – it highlighted that on a sample of over 170 patients with localized breast cancer Four out of ten have declared that they did not receive sufficient information on the risk of recidivism. An alarming figure, if we consider that the prevention of a possible reappearance of the disease is considered the most important therapeutic objective for the patients consulted.

The investigation also revealed that nine out of ten patients actively seek information on the topic, feeling not adequately informed and in fact, highlighting a gap between the need for knowledge and the offer of information.

«Even after passing the initial phase of breast cancer, it is essential that patients are aware of the risk of recidivism, which can also occur after many years – he explains Giuseppe Curiglianofull professor of Medical Oncology at the La Statale di Milano University and deputy scientific director ofEuropean Institute of OncologicalIRCCS of Milan as well as director of the development of new drugs for innovative IEO therapies of Milan – According to some studies, the risk of recurrence of patients with breast cancer in early phase with hormon -sensitive disease and negative Her2 is recorded in one percentage between 10% and 17% for stadiums ito increase to a range between 10% and 50% in stadiums II and III even after 20 years from the diagnosis and conclusion of endocrine therapy. Tertiary prevention is therefore essential and the awareness of women on this issue is of fundamental importance to improve their quality of life “.

If surgery can be an important step for women with localized breast cancer, unfortunately it is not enough to guarantee healing. Aduvante therapy represents a crucial element to eliminate any residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Equally important is the awareness of one’s individual recurrence risk. The relationship between oncologist and patient plays a fundamental role: an open and transparent dialogue, based on trust, allows you to face fears, manage the side effects and customize the treatment. As he points out Alberto Zambellidirector of theOncology of ASST Pope John XXIII of Bergamo“The initiatives that promote knowledge and awareness favor the medical-patient relationship, improve adherence to treatments and controls, contribute to reducing fears and anxieties and finally improve the quality of life of patients and care results”.

In this scenario, “HR+/Her2-Her2 mammary tumors, which make up about 70% of all breast cancers, usually present a good prognosis in the short term but they can recurivate many years later. It is therefore essential to improve long -term control of the pathology and in this we also come to help new therapeutic options such as CDK4/6 inhibitorswhich, in addition to standard hormonal therapy, can represent a promising tertiary prevention tool for a large number of patients, “he added Michelino De Laurentiisdirector of Senology Experimental Clinical Clinical Oncology atNational Institute of the Pascale Foundation of Naples.

An initiative to fill the information gap
To sensitize the theme of tertiary prevention and fill the information gap, it was launched Ready to preventa campaign of Novartis In collaboration with Andos, Europe woman Italy, Incontadonna And Women’s health ODV. The initiative aims to provide women who have faced a localized breast cancer Further tools and information to consciously manage the risk of recurrencetogether with your contact doctor.

The campaign provides for the sharing of testimonies of women who have experienced the experience of breast cancer, interviews with experts and insights on the topic, available on the site etempodivita.it. The goal is to create an online community sensitive to the importance of tertiary prevention and offer concrete support to patients.