Let’s Place the Needs of People with Breast Cancer at the heart of Europe.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women.
1 in 11 European women are likely to develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.
Romana Jerković
MEP
Chair of Transforming
Breast Cancer Together
“
Despite advancements in treatment and care, breast cancer remains one of the most pressing health challenges for women across Europe as it claims almost 100,000 lives annually. Moreover, significant disparities persist in access to early detection, quality treatment and survivorship support across member states. The European Union must play a pivotal role in harmonizing standards, investing in better cancer research and ensuring equitable access to care for all women, regardless of their location.
“
Better Breast Cancer Care for A Better Life
While screening and treatments have improved, breast cancer remains a serious threat to people, families, and European society. With this in mind, TBCT launches its Call to Action – Better Breast Cancer Care for a Better Life, highlighting the importance of timely implementation of the European Commission’s Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. A better quality of care would benefit the quality of life and recovery of normalcy in patients’ lives.
Transforming Breast Cancer Together is an initiative launched in 2017 that brings together policymakers, patient organisations, professional organisations and companies committed to raising awareness of the daily realities of living with breast cancer.
We need to:
Invest in both primary and secondary prevention
Support health professionals in improving patient-centred communication
Implement nationwide screening programmes
Improve the quality of life and emotional well-being of patients and their families
Ensure that all diagnosed with early and advanced / metastatic breast cancer have equal access to treatments
Harmonize the breast cancer registry process in Europe for collecting breast cancer data
Support patients with relapsed and advanced breast cancer
Maintain a favourable R&D environment for innovative health technologies for breast cancer
Raise awareness on the unmet needs and realities of living and working with breast cancer
Elevate breast cancer as a health policy priority to improve its prevention, diagnosis and care across Europe
Publications
Events
TBCT Policy Event: Breast Cancer in Europe: From Policy to Progress
Transforming Breast Cancer Together (TBCT) will convene policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and cancer policy stakeholders at the European Parliament on 9 June 2026 for
May 27, 2026
News
TBCT Unveils New Breast Cancer Infographics for Croatia, Ireland and Cyprus
Released as part of TBCT’s ongoing awareness efforts, three new country-specific infographics, focused on Croatia, Ireland, and Cyprus, shed further light on the stark inequalities
November 18, 2025
News
TBCT Launches Updated Breast Cancer Infographics for Europe
Released for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the data reveal stark inequalities in screening, treatment, and access to innovation. Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month turns
October 10, 2025
about us
The initiative was launched following an event hosted in the European Parliament in November 2017 and since then has brought together a number of policymakers and organisations deeply committed to cancer care with an aim to increase the understanding of the daily realities of living with early and advanced breast cancer in Europe and ensure that policymaking reflects both the individual and the societal disease burden. These aims serve as an inspiration and the driving force of the Transforming Breast Cancer Together initiative. Through publications, advocacy work and events, the initiative contributes to increased recognition of the challenges posed by breast cancer. Patient empowerment and cancer patients’ needs are at the centre of all the activities implemented by the group.
In 2018, the group successfully launched the concept of the ‘Strings of Pearls’, which represents all involved stakeholders’ commitment to contribute to at least one activity per month to raise awareness and improve breast cancer care in Europe.
TBCT is a multi-stakeholder coalition open to stakeholders focused on the field of breast cancer. Its work is enabled by in-kind contributions of all members and funding from its corporate members. The objectives and decisions of TBCT are taken by all members collegially and with full independence.
Contact
Contact: Secretariat@tbct.eu
Disclaimer: We will be happy to provide further information on TBCT or any of the materials that are posted on this website. Neither the TBCT secretariat nor any TBCT members can give clinical or other treatment advice through this website. This website is not a channel for the reporting adverse events or side effects that might arise from a treatment used by a patient. If you, or someone you care for, is affected by anything that may be an adverse event or side effect, please refer to your/their physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional immediately, they will help you contact the relevant healthcare companies as necessary.