The Invisible Woman 2.0

Key insights from the The Invisible Woman 2.0 report

Breast cancer kills more women in Europe than any other cancer. Most of these deaths are a result of metastatic disease (advanced breast cancer). From an economic perspective, a report found that breast cancers accounted for some of the highest costs of all cancer-related healthcare in 2009 in the EU.

ABC is often incurable and sometimes affects women in the prime of their lives, when they have both a career and childcare responsibilities. The 2019 The Invisible Woman 2.0 Report confirms the findings of the first report published in 2013: a diagnosis of aBC has huge personal, societal and economic impact.

• Quality of life (QoL) is the biggest area of unmet need, with access to care cited as important to women living with aBC.
• In 2019, advanced breast cancer is having a larger impact on women’s personal finance. The practical and emotional consequences associated with financial stress have also worsened over the years.
• Many women feel isolated and helpless, and often withdrawn from society. Day-to-day living becomes a struggle, with most metastatic breast cancer patients experiencing anxiety, depression, or a loss of confidence.
• There continues to be a lack of provision of information and support, particularly around financial help and counselling. In fact, fewer patients in 2019 found the information provided by healthcare professionals (HCPs) useful than those surveyed in 2013 did. However, patients continue to appreciate more time with their doctor.

Our hope is that the findings from this report will help equip policy makers and other stakeholders in Europe with the knowledge necessary to drive change for the benefit of patients and societies alike.

Explore all the findings from the research by downloading a free copy of both reports by clicking the link below: