09/02/2021

Discover our 9 priorities in the fight against breast cancer

Every year, we organise a Round Table on Breast Cancer to see what we can do more and better in the fight against breast cancer. The most recent one took place on the 26th of November 2020. About thirty experts - researchers, specialist doctors, nurses, government agencies, the insurance sector, patient organisations and the pharmaceutical industry - took part in the debate. Based on the debate and various surveys among survivors, we defined 9 priorities we want to focus on in 2021.

You will find them below.

1) Working towards ensuring that treatments for breast cancer are only possible in recognised breast clinics and reimbursed only there.

2) Striving for a higher participation rate in the official screening programs (population screening) with a specific focus on Wallonia and Brussels by raising awareness at the local level with the help of the Think Pink municipalities.

3) Ensuring that real world breast cancer data are readily available for policy decisions and research and that relapses are permanently recorded.

4) Updating the Think Pink book and reworking the Think Pink Guide app to better meet the needs of patients and give them a voice in the treatment process.

5) Promoting a more specific use of scalp cooling and a refund, where possible as an alternative to a wig.

6) Following up the pilot project (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022) on the reimbursement of gene expression profiling tests to determine susceptibility to chemotherapy, thus avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy.

7) Strengthening doctors, healthcare providers, researchers and hospitals in their communication with patients and building bridges between both parties.

8) Working towards a structured approach, a clear legal framework and continued funding for hospitalisation at home, even after the pilot projects have ended.

9) Closely following up priorities thanks to:
- a monthly internal focus on one priority;
- a quarterly update for the participants of the Round Table;
- an annual evaluation of the priorities;
- regular consultations with the competent ministers.

Read the full report in Dutch
Read the full report in French