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According to Statistics Austria, 30 percent of all new cancer cases in women were breast cancer in 2022. This continues to be the most common cancer in women. World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day on October 13 aims to draw attention to this.
Eighty-seven percent of those affected survive the disease thanks to improved early detection measures and advances in therapy. Around 1,700 women (and 20 men) died each year in recent years due to breast cancer.
World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day is on October 13.
The cancer has already metastasized at diagnosis in about 300 people (5 percent of new cases). Each year, 850 additional individuals (or roughly 15%) who previously had breast cancer experience a recurrence of metastatic breast cancer.
More prolonged survival in breast cancer
Due to new and targeted therapies, the survival time of advanced breast cancer patients has increased significantly in recent years, with an essentially good quality of life. Survival times of over ten years would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. In principle, Austria has a unique position here in a European comparison. According to Statistics Austria, in the Eurocare study, the international research on the survival of cancer patients, Austria has repeatedly been certified as having survival times above the European average.
New regulations for professional activity and rehabilitation
“Cancer almost always has a social dimension, especially for people with advanced cancer,” said Krebshilfe Executive Director Doris Kiefhaber. Regulations, such as those governing the workplace, are necessary in order to live a life that is worthwhile. Thankfully, we have had part-time reintegration since 2017, which makes it easier for cancer patients to return to work after cancer. Such regulation is missing for metastasized patients because there is no “after the disease.” Many patients want to and can pursue their professional activities to a limited extent, not least for financial reasons.
Cancer Aid also points out the importance of adapted offers in oncological rehabilitation. “To date, there are unfortunately only psycho-oncological offers for people after a cancer disease. Unfortunately, I don’t feel addressed by this,” says metastasized breast cancer patient Michaela. “I wish there were also suitable offers for those of us who had “metastasized.”
Austrian Cancer Aid invites to World Breast Cancer Day
Every year on World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day, Austrian Cancer Aid invites women affected by the diagnosis to a special get-together. In 2021, there was a reception in the High House by the Second President of the National Council, Doris Bures. Last year, Federal President Alexander van der Bellen and his wife, Doris Schmidauer, were invited to the presidential chancellery. For this year’s World Day, Cancer Aid received an invitation from the Burgtheater.
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