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Forging
the way ahead for more research on and better care in
breast cancer
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Introduction
 The
first European consensus on key issues in breast cancer
has today been reached by nearly 1,000 clinicians, scientists
and healthcare consumers attending a mass voting session
at the 1st European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-1)
in Florence. The Florence Statement sets the agenda for
everyone involved in these key issues in breast cancer
research, treatment, prevention and advocacy including
the three major groups and organisers of EBCC-1: |
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The
Breast Cancer Co-operative Group of the European
Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer
(EORTC-BCCG) |
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The
European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA)
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Europa
Donna, the
European Breast Cancer Coalition
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This
objective-setting document will stimulate much needed
change in the field of breast cancer. EORTC-BCCG, EUSOMA
and the patient-advocacy activities of Europa Donna
will work towards these goals by lobbying European governments
and mobilizing health-service providers, the scientific
community and the healthcare industry. These new actions
demanded by the EBCC-1 delegates will be assessed and
reviewed in two years at EBCC-2, to be held in Brussels
from 26 to 30 September, 2000.
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Florence
Statement
Breast
cancer is the commonest
cancer and the most frequent cause of cancer death in
women in every European Union country. Because of its
importance and its potentially high curability, breast
cancer deserves special attention and effort. The 1st
European Breast Cancer Conference calls on the European
Parliament to devote a plenary session to breast cancer.
The Florence
conference also makes the following statements: |
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On
research:
Clinical trials are the mainstay for the development
of optimal treatment of breast cancer and this conference
is committed to encouraging maximum participation
in clinical trials. Consumers should be fully involved
at all stages in the design and conduct of clinical
trials, by clear public information, discussion
with ethics committees and increased accessibility
to clinical trials.
This conference is committed to the application
of pressure on governments, medical charities and
the healthcare industry to invest more in breast
cancer research, especially into translational studies.
In addition, the major European charities are invited
to co-ordinate their efforts to avoid unnecessary
duplication of research programmes in different
countries and thereby release resources to underpin
European studies. |
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On
genetic predisposition:
Given that knowledge about inherited predisposition
to breast cancer is constantly emerging and that
management options for mutation carriers are still
not proven to be of benefit, the conference resolves
that genetic testing should be undertaken in the
setting of clinical research only. Such a setting
needs personnel and facilities to study further
the psychological effects and clinical outcomes
in those who present for testing.
Genetic testing represents a potential threat
to the privacy and security of women and could lead
to commercial exploitation through gene patenting.
The conference therefore demands national legislation
and a European directive to protect women from personal,
professional, financial or other discrimination.
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On
psychosocial status:
This conference
believes that the measurement of psychosocial status
should be mandatory in the assessment and management
of women's health and should not just be part of
a clinical trial.
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On
treatment:
This conference demands that those responsible for
organising and funding breast cancer care ensure
that all women have access to fully equipped multidisciplinary
and multiprofessional breast clinics based on populations
of around 250,000. |
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On
quality of care:
Given the importance of the quality of surgery,
radiotherapy and chemotherapy in determining outcome,
quality-assurance programmes should become mandatory
for breast cancer services to qualify for funding
from healthcare providers. |
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Evidence-based
multidisciplinary management guidelines defined
at national and European level with the consensus of
healthcare professionals, voluntary organizations, other
health-service providers and consumers will further
improve outcome.
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Professor
Luigi Cataliotti
President EUSOMA
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Professor
Cornelis van de Velde
Chairman EORTC-BCCG |
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Mrs
Gloria Freilich
President Europa Donna |
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