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Breast Cancer: a lifelong journey

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It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Not so long ago, this diagnosis was often associated with death. But the tide has turned in the Global North, and innovations in healthcare and early detection are expected to continue to reduce mortality rates. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival.   

But surviving is not the same as actually living. Several studies have shown that surgical morbidity is a common complication of breast cancer treatment. In fact, up to 70% of patients have been reported to have postoperative breast cancer sequelae, including axillary girdle syndrome, pain, lymphangitis, fatigue, cognitive, physical, social and emotional impairment.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, eCAN’s partners and collaborators would like to highlight the need to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Indeed, eCAN is committed to improving their lives by highlighting the vital role of rehabilitation in their recovery process.

 Cancer research has shown that physical activity helps patients regain strength and mobility. According to recent publications, exercise is an effective strategy that positively affects breast cancer survivors’ quality of life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to promote the uptake of exercise.   

Survivors may also experience social and emotional sequelae. In this sense, physical rehabilitation also boosts their confidence and mental well-being. Healthcare professionals and researchers agree that emotional support and counselling are equally important on the journey to recovery. 

The vital role of rehabilitation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also recognises the impact of rehabilitation and defines it as “the use of all means to reduce the effects of disabling and handicapping conditions and to enable people with disabilities to achieve optimal social integration”.

Despite the recognition of the role of rehabilitation for patients, “the needs of this population of cancer patients are still underestimated and undertreated,” says Vittorio Castaldo, one of the researchers involved in the eCAN pilots. For this reason, this project aims to highlight and incorporate telemedicine tools that can facilitate the assessment of motor and sensory deficits and enable remote training and education of patients.  

The study will use patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and experiences (PREMs) to explore how telemonitoring and teleconsultation can improve the physical and psychological rehabilitation processes of these cancer patients. It is expected to enrol 354 patients with breast, head and neck and advanced cancers from 18 cancer centres and ten different EU countries.

References:

Joaquim A, Leão I, Antunes P, Capela A, Viamonte S, Alves AJ, Helguero LA and Macedo A (2022) Impact of physical exercise programs in breast cancer survivors on healthrelated quality of life, physical fitness, and body composition: Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Front. Oncol. 12:955505. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.955505


Logo EUCo-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA.                                                                       Neither  the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

https://ecanja.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BC-day-horizontal-frame-at-0m2s.jpg 579 1030 eCAN https://ecanja.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/logo_eCAN_shortbanner.svg eCAN2023-10-19 10:58:152024-10-31 13:15:31Breast Cancer: a lifelong journey

Latest news

  • eCAN
    The EU project eCAN JA proposes key recommendations to integrate telemedicine in cancer care2 December 2024 - 09:28

    The European project eCAN Joint Action (JA) has presented a guide of recommendations to integrate telemedicine in European healthcare systems for cancer prevention and care. The presentation has taken place in Brussels last Friday, at the BIP Meeting Center. For two years, the project has explored the role of teleconsultation and telerehabilitation. Its main goal was to identify necessary actions to strengthen the adoption of telemedicine for cancer prevention and care and the use of digital tools for reducing cancer care inequalities across the EU. 

  • Cancer pilots results
    eCAN pilots results point to digital health as an adequate support for cancer patients28 November 2024 - 12:11

    The eCAN pilots focused on remote rehabilitation and virtual psychological support for breast, head & neck, and advanced cancer patients, conclude that the digital health approach has a positive impact on people with cancer and can be useful to improve patient compliance in reporting outcomes and experiences.

  • Artemis Komatina, psychologist involved in the pilots: “In order to promote technology within healthcare settings, we need to start with our healthcare professionals”.21 November 2024 - 08:56

    In the fourth and last episode of this podcast, we’ve talked to four psychologists, one physiotherapist and one primary investigator. They have shared with us their reflection on these clinical trials. After all the work that has been done, now it is time to collect their feedback to start thinking about future actions. Their experience not only guide our next steps, but also help us to understand the main challenges and where our efforts are most needed.

  • Sofia Adão, physiotherapist involved in the pilots: “It’s a good strategy, not so easy to apply because of time-consuming aspects”12 November 2024 - 09:00

    In this third episode, we’ve talk to the healthcare professionals involved about the chances of applying the eCAN experience to the European healthcare ecosystems. What would we need to implement the telemedicine tools that we tested in regional hospitals or cancer centres? They highlight some of the features that must be taken into account to translate these clinical trials into daily common practice within hospitals. We invite you to press play and listen to their reflection on this topic.

  • Constantina Palala, psychologist: “The feedback was positive, and some sessions were actually very good through the online platform”29 October 2024 - 08:53

    In this second episode of the eCAN Bites, we’ve interviewed one of the primary investigators of this resarch, one physiotherapist that worked with breast and head and neck cancer patients, and two clinical psychologists that offered online therapy to cancer patients. We want to share the patients’ experiences through their voices and these four professionals have helped us to build a clearer picture on what patients needed and expected. We invite you to press play and listen to their experiences, you might be surprised by the importance of the very small details when doing a transnational study like this one.

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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eCAN Plus Joint Action Follow

Enhancing the Digital Capabilities of Cancer Centres in Europe to Improve Prevention and Care. Co-funded by the EU.

ecan_ja
ecan_ja eCAN Plus Joint Action @ecan_ja ·
5 Jun

We wrap-up our Kick-Off Meeting with a surprise 🥁

A brand new logo ✨ for a new era!

To take eCAN to the next level, we need to give it a 'plus' 😉➕

Thanks to all entities and participants and welcome aboard!

#eCANPlusKOM #EU4Health #HealthUnion

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Retweet on Twitter eCAN Plus Joint Action Retweeted
ehealthcy National eHealth Authority Cyprus @ehealthcy ·
5 Jun

👉Συμμετοχή της @eHealthcy στην εναρκτήρια συνάντηση της ευρωπαϊκής πρωτοβουλίας @ecan_ja στις Βρυξέλλες.

🔴Το έργο είναι χρηματοδοτούμενο από την Ε.Ε. και στοχεύει στη βελτίωση της πρόληψης και της θεραπείας του καρκίνου μέσω της ενίσχυσης των ψηφιακών δυνατοτήτων των κέντρων…

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Retweet on Twitter eCAN Plus Joint Action Retweeted
eithealth_fr EIT Health France @eithealth_fr ·
5 Jun

🚀Kick off @ecan_ja à Bruxelles : Renforcer les capacités numériques des centres de cancérologie de l’UE pour améliorer la prévention & la prise en charge !
Les 83 partenaires issus de 23 pays se réunissent pour définir la feuille de route de cette Joint Action (2025-2029, 20M€)

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Retweet on Twitter eCAN Plus Joint Action Retweeted
andreasc466 Andreas Charalambous @andreasc466 ·
5 Jun

Matthias Schuppe addressing the #eCANPlus kick-off meeting. He analyzed how the actions of the project align with the DG Sante strategy for realizing the #EUCancerPlan @EU_Commission @EU_HaDEA

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