Europa Donna – The European Breast Cancer Coalition is an independent non-profit organisation whose members are affiliated groups from 47 countries throughout Europe. The organisation was set up by a group of women from various European countries in 1994. Its head office is in

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city ...

, Italy. Europa Donna works to raise awareness of

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or ...

and to improve breast cancer services by promoting early detection, optimal treatment and research. It holds information campaigns such as Breast Health Day on October 15 to raise awareness of the role of lifestyle choices in reducing the risk of breast cancer. The organisation promotes access to optimal breast cancer services by collaborating with European and national policymakers. Its efforts at the European Parliament led to the adoption of the

European Parliament The European Parliament (EP) is one of the Legislature, legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven Institutions of the European Union, institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and in ...

Resolutions on Breast Cancer and the Written Declaration on the Fight Against Breast Cancer.Beishon M. (2005) "Stella Kyriakides: the torch bearer." "Cancer World" "January–February". Europa Donna works with European scientific organisations and is a co-organiser of the European Breast Cancer Conference in partnership with the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) and the

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is a unique pan-European non-profit clinical cancer research organisation established in 1962 operating as an international association under Belgium law. It develops, conduc ...

(EORTC). It provides the patient's perspective on international breast cancer trial committees and is a member of the

Breast International Group The Breast International Group (BIG)-aisbl is a not-for-profit organisation for academic breast cancer research groups from around the world, with its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), offici ...

Scientific Committee.Breast International Group. "Meet Susan Knox Executive Director, ''EUROPA DONNA'' "Think BIG News" "June, 2015"

The organisation holds Pan European Conferences for advocates every two years as well as annual Advocacy Training courses.

History and Organisation

At the EUSOMA congress in Paris, France, in 1993, Italian breast surgeon Umberto Veronesi presented the concept of a European organisation of women to increase

breast cancer awareness Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment. Supporters hope that greater knowledge will lead to earlier detection of breast cancer, which is assoc ...

and represent patients and women. A small group of women from various European countries then began to establish the organisation, which started as an educational arm of the European School of Oncology. Under a constitution signed in 1996, Europa Donna is headquartered in Milan, Italy, and is overseen by an Executive Board consisting of a maximum of nine members, three of whom must be breast cancer survivors. The coalition comprises 47 member countries, called fora, whose national delegates elect the members of the Executive Board. Europa Donna’s activities focus on policy, education, prevention and research. The organisation has been the recipient of an operating grant from the European Commission.European Commission. "EUROPA DONNA - The European Breast Cancer Coalition (ED_FY2012)"

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References

External links

Official website

Breast Health Day website

Breast International Group

European School of Oncology

European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists

{{Authority control Breast cancer organizations European medical and health organizations Breast cancer International organisations based in Italy