Pharmaceutical Market Europe • September 2025 • 16
THOUGHT LEADER
New survey: Europeans seek better health equity in breast cancer awareness
‘More than 558,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually and the disease claims around 145,000 lives each year’
Breast cancer remains one of the most pressing challenges in global health. Despite significant advancements in treatment and early detection, breast cancer continues to be one of the most urgent health challenges facing the world today. The numbers in Europe paint a sobering picture: more than 558,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually, and the disease claims around 145,000 lives each year.1 These statistics don’t just reflect the scale of the problem – they spotlight the gaps that still exist in education, awareness and access to care.
A comprehensive survey spanning 7,500 participants across England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, initiated and funded by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, sought to uncover where knowledge about breast cancer is falling short, and to better understand the regional disparities affecting awareness across Western Europe.2 The results revealed how cultural attitudes, healthcare infrastructure and access to reliable information vary widely – not just from country to country, but often within them. From misconceptions about early symptoms to limited understanding of metastatic breast cancer, the data revealed that only 30% of Europeans are certain about what metastatic breast cancer is, despite a quarter of respondents reporting someone in their environment experienced breast cancer.2
Need for targeted educational initiatives
Stark regional disparities exist in awareness of metastatic breast cancer, with 93% of respondents in Spain understanding the term, compared to just 59% in the UK.2 These differences highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and international collaboration to improve awareness and understanding of metastatic breast cancer across Europe. Addressing these knowledge gaps by improving educational resources and enhancing breast cancer awareness can contribute to earlier detection and therefore more effective disease management.3
The survey revealed a widespread demand for better breast cancer information across Western Europe, with 88% of respondents expressing a clear need for more knowledge.2
Additionally, 43% voiced concerns about the complexity of existing medical literature, highlighting a significant barrier to understanding.2 This points to a crucial gap – not just in access to information, but in the clarity of how it’s presented. Ensuring that healthcare information is both accurate and easy to understand is essential for empowering individuals to grasp the realities of breast cancer and make informed, proactive decisions about their health.
Dispelling misconceptions
Half of the survey respondents mistakenly believe that age does not affect the risk of developing metastatic breast cancer, despite the fact that increasing age is a well-established risk factor.2, 4 Equally concerning is the widespread belief among many participants that breast cancer is a challenge we have already overcome. This false sense of security risks fostering complacency, deterring individuals from seeking timely medical advice when early symptoms arise. Addressing these misconceptions across Europe and ensuring that the public are informed about the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer, as well as advancements in treatment to support those already living with the disease, can help ensure that opportunities for early detection are not missed.3
Bringing clarity to the confusion
Another area of concern highlighted by the survey is the lack of understanding of biomarkers. Biomarkers are important in identifying the unique characteristics of a cancer, monitoring its progression, predicting recurrence and determining treatment responses.5 Yet, three-quarters of survey respondents reported being unfamiliar with the concept of a biomarker, underscoring a significant knowledge gap in cancer management. This gap emphasises the urgent need for educational efforts to clarify the role of cancer biomarkers and enable a more personalised approach to targeted treatment.
An ABC Alliance spokesperson said: “The disparities uncovered by this survey highlight a need to bridge the knowledge gap in breast cancer awareness across Europe. Ensuring equitable access to clear, comprehensible and culturally relevant information is essential. Together with the breast cancer community, we hope to empower individuals through targeted education and collaborative efforts, and reduce the burden of this sometimes devastating disease.”
The stepping stone to improving access
To address the awareness and knowledge challenges outlined in the survey results, we must enhance breast cancer education, tailored to each region’s unique needs. Health literacy goes beyond simply providing information; it’s about ensuring that the information is accessible, engaging and actionable. Achieving this requires collaboration with local communities, healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups to develop resources that resonate across cultures. By improving health literacy, we can unlock the potential for earlier breast cancer detection, more timely treatment and ultimately, better health outcomes.3
References
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