Breast Cancer Awareness Month Reveals Communication Gaps Between Doctors and Patients in Italy
In Italy, only 40% of women living with breast cancer feel fully informed about their disease, according to survey results presented during the university training course “Laudato Medico Young – Comunicare è curare” organized by Europa Donna Italia. The findings, which coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reveal that while patients generally trust their clinical teams, significant gaps remain in empathy, clear language, and the communication of individual recurrence risks.
Survey Findings on Patient Awareness and Physician Communication
The survey by Iqvia Italia, promoted by Europa Donna Italia, evaluated responses from 168 breast cancer patients. The data indicates that roughly half of the respondents understand the specific benefits and side effects of their treatments. While oncologists are widely viewed as competent and available, just 17% of patients describe their doctors as empathetic or clear, and 20% consider them rushed. Data shows that while about 8 out of 10 patients recognize that cancer can return, 1 out of 4 women remains unaware of her personal risk of recurrence.
Additional insights from Novartis Italia, which commented on parallel Iqvia research, indicate that three out of four women feel listened to by their doctors, generating a strong foundation of trust. However, Chiara Gnocchi, Communications and Patient Advocacy Head at Novartis Italia, noted that this trust must evolve into active participation and conscious dialogue regarding treatment paths. Data indicates that approximately 54,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Italy, bringing the total population of women living after a diagnosis to about 925,000.
Clinical Trials and Precision Medicine Initiatives for Early-Stage Patients
Addressing the high prevalence of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) cases—which account for roughly 70% of breast tumors—new clinical efforts are underway. The Umberto Veronesi Foundation launched the EURYCLEIA clinical trial to evaluate innovative treatments like trastuzumab deruxtecan in early-stage patients who exhibit aggressive residual disease after preoperative chemotherapy. Giuseppe Curigliano, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milan and Director of the New Drug Development Division at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, stated that targeted precision approaches allow clinicians to target tumors more selectively based on individual molecular profiles.
Training Young Oncologists to Improve Empathy and Clinical Dialogue
To address the emotional vulnerabilities identified in the Iqvia survey—where one in three patients requests greater empathy and clearer language, and 24% seek better psychological support—Europa Donna Italia hosted the second year of the “Laudato Medico Young” online training course on September 26. The initiative engaged over 60 young oncologists, radiotherapists, radiologists, and breast surgeons from various Breast Units. Paolo Guiddi, a psycho-oncologist at IEO and the University of Milan, emphasized during the course that clinical communication is an integral component of medical treatment rather than an optional add-on.
Collaborative Patient Advocacy Campaigns Across Italian Healthcare
To bridge the information gap, pharmaceutical companies and patient groups are expanding digital and educational resources. Novartis Italia collaborated with four major patient associations—Europa Donna Italia, ANDOS, Salute Donna, and IncontraDonna—to create the “Facciamo Squadra” campaign, accessible through the “È tempo di vita” web platform and social channels. Rosanna D’Antona, President of Europa Donna Italia, stated that sustained collaboration between patient advocacy groups and Breast Units remains essential for providing reliable information, practical support tools, and structured occasions for clinical dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Care and Recurrence Risk
What percentage of breast cancer cases belong to the HR+/HER2- subtype?
Approximately 70% of all diagnosed breast cancer cases fall into the hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative category, a subtype where the risk of recurrence can persist for many years following initial treatment.
How many new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in Italy each year?
Over 53,600 new cases of tumore mammario are diagnosed annually in Italy, making it the most frequent cancer among women across all age groups.
What specific communication improvements do breast cancer patients request most often?
According to survey data, one out of three patients asks for greater empathy and clearer language from their clinical teams, 24% request improved emotional and psychological support, 21% want more detailed information on treatment options, and 16% desire more time during consultations.
Which patient organizations collaborated on the “Facciamo Squadra” awareness campaign?
The campaign was co-created by Novartis Italia alongside four Italian patient associations: ANDOS, Europa Donna Italia, Fondazione IncontraDonna, and Salute Donna ODV.
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