Italy reports over 55,000 cases of metastatic breast cancer

In Italy, more than 55,000 women are currently living with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. This rising number is attributed to both an increase in general breast cancer cases and improved survival rates resulting from medical research and more efficient therapies.

During a national awareness day, health organizations including Europa Donna Italia and the IncontraDonna Foundation emphasized the need for specialized, integrated, and continuous care pathways. Experts highlighted that as the disease becomes more chronic, the focus must shift from merely extending life to improving the quality of life.

Key recommendations for improved patient care include multidisciplinary support that integrates oncological treatments with psychological, nutritional, nursing, rehabilitative, and palliative care. There is also a call for a uniform national care plan to reduce regional disparities in treatment and better facilitate patient participation in clinical trials.