Relapse, concern for breast cancer patients

The fear of a possible relapse is the main concern about the future for the 84% of women with early breast cancer HR+/HER2-according to the study ‘ImpOrta. Care experience and impact of early breast cancer from the patients’ perspective.’

The work, promoted by the Spanish Breast Cancer Federation (Fecma)the Attitude Faced with Cancer Foundation, SOLTI, GEICAM, the Spanish Society of Oncological Nursing (SEEO) and Novartis, collects the voice of women with early HR+/HER2- breast cancer undergoing surgery and adjuvant treatment, which is administered after surgery to eliminate possible tumor cells and reduce the risk of relapse.

Breast cancer affects every year more than 38,000 women in Spain and, according to the latest data from the SEOM, in 2026 more than 8,000 cancers will be diagnosed in young adults, of which one in five will be breast cancer. Despite advances in treatment, two out of three patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer in stages II and III continue to run the risk. risk of your cancer coming back in the long term. “In many cases, this relapse manifests itself as metastatic disease, with a marked deterioration in the quality of life and the need for prolonged treatments,” says Dr. Natalia Chavarría Piudo, associate of the Spanish breast cancer research group, GEICAM, medical oncologist at the Oncology Service of the Jerez de la Frontera University Hospital.

The approach to early breast cancer does not always end with surgery, since many patients receive it for years. adjuvant treatmentswhich are essential, but can have side effects, which can affect adherence and quality of life. In recent years, new approaches in precision medicine have demonstrated a greater reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, making it necessary to incorporate these innovations into the health system to improve the protection and well-being of patients.

“Advances in personalized medicine and biomarkers help adapt treatments to each case, avoiding unnecessary therapies and their side effects, without compromising effectiveness,” said Dr. Elena Galve, member of the SOLTI board of directors and medical oncologist at the Medical Oncology Service of the Basurto University Hospital. “The delay or lack of access to therapeutic innovation in the setting of early breast cancer means that the opportunity to receive treatments that prevent relapse in high-risk patients is lost, which means a long-term increase in advanced, metastatic and incurable diseases.”.

The study’Import‘ highlights important unmet needs, especially in relation to emotional support, information about the risk of relapse and adherence to adjuvant treatments. The emotional health and quality of life generally stand out as the dimensions with greatest perceived impactfollowed by relationships, body image and finances. “Hair loss and scars made me feel uncomfortable with my body. I look in the mirror and I don’t recognize myself, which affects how I feel about myself,” explains one of the participants in the study. Conchi Biurrun, representative of the Spanish Breast Cancer Federation Fecma and breast cancer patient, states that “breast cancer affects patients in many ways: it means a break for an undetermined time with the certainty that nothing will be the same again.”

He 95% of patients experience worry, anguish or fear93% insecurity or uncertainty and 90% sadness. Although these emotions evolve throughout the process, the fear of cancer recurrence persists even after surgery and adjuvant treatment. Likewise, more than half of the patients surveyed consider that they do not receive sufficient information about their risk of relapse, which could be related to the complexity of the information, the way in which it is transmitted or difficulties in understanding at a time of high emotional burden.

“The main challenge faced by a patient with early-stage breast cancer, once the first phase of adjuvant treatment has been completed, is prevent relapse of the diseasethe doctor stressed Ana CasasMedical oncologist at the Medical Oncology Service of the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, breast cancer patient, founder and president of the Attitude to Cancer Foundation (AFC). “The important thing is to convey this information to patients without creating fear. It is about providing invaluable information that allows them to be aware of their risk to promote therapeutic adherence,” he added.