EUROPA Donna, the European Breast Cancer Coalition, is seeking to raise awareness about the disease with a lecture next week by Dr Alberto Costa on ‘Breast Cancer Surgery – What every woman should know’.
At a news conference yesterday, the former president of Europa Donna, Dr Mary Buchanan, stressed the importance of every woman affected by breast cancer being well informed and receiving the best possible treatment.
“A historic resolution was passed last year in the European Parliament regarding breast cancer. It was the first time ever that one disease had been the centre of discussion at a plenary meeting,” said Buchanan.
The resolution was aimed at raising the standards of care for women with breast cancer. “Our aim at Europa Donna is to bring forth all we have in this struggle against breast cancer.”
The European Parliament recognised that each woman diagnosed with breast cancer had the right to be treated by a multi-disciplinary team, meaning that surgeons, plastic surgeons, psychologists, physiotherapists and specialised nurses should all be made available to the patient.
“This is to ensure the patient receives the best possible treatment available and will take a load of her mind so she is not running to and from different doctors,” said Buchanan.
Other elements of the resolution were: that each clinic must perform at least 150 mastectomies per year. The clinic must also be run by trained and qualified staff, consisting of not only a surgeon, but a plastic surgeon too.
At least once a week, scientific lectures must be held where one case will be discussed, pre-surgery and post-surgery. The authenticity of the results will be screened through clinical inquiry, and doctors and nurses will take part in regular educational seminars as well as tests to show their level of knowledge and capabilities.
Patients will also be entitled to psycho-oncology advice, psychological support, as well as physiotherapy and social services.
“Mammography screening should also be available to women between the ages of 50 and 69. Each mammogram should be read independently, so the expertise is there. Equipment should also be monitored so radiation levels and images are correct,” said Buchanan.
Buchanan was happy to say that the screening programme in Cyprus was now working well.
Dr Alberto Costa, the speaker at next week’s lecture, graduated from the University of Milan in 1976 and since then has worked with a number of respected doctors and surgeons at various clinics.
He has become a member of scientific societies including the Italian Cancer Society, the European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the International Society for Nutrition and Cancer.
Dr Alberto Costa: ‘Breast Cancer Surgery – What every woman should know’, March 9, 7pm, Bank of Cyprus headquarters, Nicosia. The lecture is organised in memory of Inos Vasiliou the former vice-president of the Europa Donna Cyprus who passed away a few months ago.
From March 8-13, all hairdressers in Cyprus will be selling the Europa Donna pin for £3 to raise money for the association.
