EUROPA DONNA - The European Breast Cancer Coalition

10/09/2026

CARDIOTOXICITY IN BREAST CANCER CARE
As breast cancer survival improves and people live longer after treatment, protecting heart and cardiovascular health has become increasingly important. Some cancer treatments may cause cardiovascular side effects during treatment or in the longer term. Understanding these effects, known as cardiotoxicity, is the first step towards recognising and managing the risk.

On 9 September, we were pleased to welcome dr. Antonella Moreo, cardiologist and EUROPA DONNA Board Member, and Professor Ketti Mazzocco, Director of the Psycho-Oncology, Decision-Making and Health Promotion Unit at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, for the roundtable “Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Care: From Individual Vulnerability to Early Detection.”
Dr Moreo explained that cardiotoxicity can affect the heart and cardiovascular system in different ways and may sometimes develop without noticeable symptoms.
Every patient has a different cardiovascular risk profile. Monitoring should therefore consider individual factors, including age, existing health conditions and lifestyle, alongside the type, dose, combination and duration of cancer treatment. Early detection can enable healthcare teams to intervene before more serious problems develop, while cardiovascular follow-up may remain important even after cancer treatment has ended.
Professor Mazzocco explored how psychological, behavioural and social vulnerability may contribute to cardiotoxicity risk alongside traditional clinical factors. She also presented findings from the EU-funded CARDIOCARE project, on whose External Advisory Board EUROPA DONNA serves.
The project followed more than 600 breast cancer patients aged 60 and over, combining clinical and biomarker data with information on lifestyle, psychological wellbeing and behaviour, as well as data collected through wearable devices. The research identified a baseline vulnerability profile involving factors such as perceived stress, optimism, diet and heart-rate variability.
By bringing these different dimensions together, CARDIOCARE aims to support a more integrated and person-centred approach to predicting and managing cardiotoxicity risk.

The proposed pathway is clear: screen, profile, stratify, monitor and personalise. The goal is not more tests for everyone, but the right monitoring and support, at the right time, for the right person:
❤️ What is my heart-health baseline before treatment?

❤️ Which symptoms should I report during treatment?

❤️ What monitoring plan is appropriate for my individual risk?

❤️ What psychological and lifestyle support is available?

Thank you to Dr Moreo, Professor Mazzocco and all the advocates who contributed to this important conversation.

09/09/2026

September resolutions? Let’s make them about you. 💗

September often feels like a fresh start: back to work, back to routines, back to our to-do lists.
But this year, add a few resolutions that are truly about you:

✨ Make time for your health
💗 Make sure to know your breasts and what normal feels like to you
💪 Stay active
📅 Keep up with your recommended breast health checks, no question is wrong and always voice your concerns
🌸 Make space for the things that make you feel good

A new season is a good reminder: your health deserves a central place on your agenda, too!

02/09/2026

📣 The WECAN Foundation, of which Europa Donna is an affiliate member of, has launched CANCERSurvey, an important independent pan-European study designed to capture the experiences and perspectives of people affected by cancer across Europe.
We encourage all people affected by breast cancer to add their voices to this important research. The survey is available in 15 languages!

👉 Take part: https://lnkd.in/e_RGsFy3
🔁 Please share it with your networks and help ensure that as many patients and carers as possible have the opportunity to be heard.

Every experience matters. Every voice strengthens the evidence.

📣 The CANCERSurvey is now LIVE

🌍 Today, thousands of people affected by cancer across Europe have a new opportunity to make their voices heard 🎗️

If you were diagnosed with cancer as an adult in Europe — or you care for someone who has — your experience matters, and it belongs in this dataset.

👉 Take the survey now: https://bit.ly/EuropeanCancerSurvey

🔁 Help us reach as many people as possible. Share the CANCERSurvey with your networks, communities and anyone affected by cancer who should have the opportunity to be heard.

Cancer is one of the most documented diseases in the world. And yet, the experience of cancer can still look very different across Europe — depending on where you live, the cancer you have, and how your healthcare system responds. That’s why WECAN Foundation has launched the CANCERSurvey: an independent, pan-European study capturing the experiences of patients and carers across multiple cancer types, in 15 languages.

💬 Every experience adds to the evidence. Every voice can help us understand where change is needed.

We are grateful to Daiichi Sankyo Johnson & Johnson Boehringer Ingelheim Roche Bayer AstraZeneca Autolus, Novartis Eli Lilly and Company Sanofi and Servier for making this independent study possible.

01/09/2026

📣 September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month

Every year, women across Europe are affected by gynaecological cancers, including cervical, ovarian, endometrial, vulvar and vaginal cancers.

💜 Awareness can make a difference. Knowing the signs and symptoms, taking part in recommended screening programmes, and having timely access to diagnosis and quality care are all essential to improving outcomes.

At Europa Donna, we believe every woman should have access to the information, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support she needs — regardless of where she lives.

This September, let’s talk openly, share reliable information and keep gynaecological health on the agenda.

Because awareness is the first step towards better care and better outcomes for all women.

27/08/2026

On EmpowerED, our Breast Cancer Advocacy Academy online platform, we continue to share tools and knowledge to strengthen breast cancer advocacy across Europe.

Among our open-access resources, you can watch Emotional Resilience – Mental Health and Breast Cancer, featuring Dr Stephanie Christodoulidou, psychologist specialized in working with people diagnosed with breast cancer.

In this session, Stephanie explores how emotional resilience can help women navigate the stress and uncertainty of breast cancer, highlighting the importance of support, coping strategies, self-compassion and self-care.

💗 Because breast cancer care goes beyond physical health. Emotional and mental wellbeing matter too.

➡️ Watch this inspiring session on EmpowerED
Streghten your knowledge. Empower your advocacy.
🔗 Discover more — empowered.europadonna.org

17/08/2026

“Still Me.”

A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis can change many aspects of life, but it does not define who a person is.

During our MBC webinar, Paola Cornero (alongside Cynthia Cravo and Carla Whitbread) shared her experience of navigating family, relationships, and daily life after a metastatic diagnosis in a session titled “Still Me! Adjusting to personal, social and professional life after a metastatic diagnosis.”

A wife, mother of three, and passionate patient advocate, Paola is actively engaged with Europa Donna Italia, serves as President of Amiche per Mano, and is one of the voices behind our MBC Campaign, The Cancer Currency.

Through her story, Paola highlighted the importance of communication within families, the essential role of caregivers, and the need to support people living with metastatic breast cancer not only through treatment, but also in their personal, social, and professional lives.

Because living with MBC is not only about cancer. It is about relationships, identity, and continuing to be yourself.

10/08/2026

Managing Lymphoedema in the Sun ☀️

High temperatures can increase swelling in your affected arm. Stay protected with these simple tips:
💧 Stay hydrated.
🧊 Keep cool: avoid direct sun and the hottest part of the day (11 a.m.–4 p.m.).
🧤 Wear your compression sleeve as prescribed, especially when active or travelling.
👕 Wear loose, lightweight clothing and avoid heavy shoulder bags on the affected side.
🧴 Protect your skin with SPF 30+, moisturiser, and avoid cuts, burns, and insect bites.
💪 Keep moving with gentle arm exercises, but avoid overheating and heavy lifting.
🛏️ Rest with your arm elevated if it feels heavy or swollen.

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice sudden swelling, redness, warmth.

Stay cool, stay protected, and enjoy summer safely!

05/08/2026

Breast health is like a puzzle: every piece matters. 🧩

During the 17th Europa Donna Pan-European Conference, MEP Romana Jerković Kraljić shared a powerful message: prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, research, advocacy and policy are all connected. Only by bringing these pieces together we can improve outcomes for everyone.

Recognising 15 October as European Breast Health Day is an opportunity to strengthen awareness, encourage early detection, and keep breast health high on the European agenda.

Because every piece counts, and together, they create lasting change.

➡️ Watch her inspiring speech on EmpowerED: Empower your knowledge. Strengthen your advocacy.
Discover EmpowerED 🔗empowered.europadonna.org

30/07/2026

🍧 Our July ED-News is out!

This month, we highlight Europa Donna’s continued commitment to strengthening the patient voice, expanding access to trusted education and advancing equitable breast cancer care across Europe.

🔗 Visit this link to read our ED-News: https://bit.ly/4g1D54t
💌 Visit this link to subscribe to our ED-News: https://bit.ly/4wvHuCL