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Learn more about the ABC Global Charter and the ABC Guidelines, which are updated biennially at the ABC Conference, as well as information on ABC
ABC Global Charter
ABC Guidelines
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ABC GLOBAL CHARTER

The ABC Global Charter has been developed to address the most urgent and actionable gaps in the treatment and care of patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) and define achievable and realistic goals to ultimately improve and extend their lives. These gaps and corresponding goals have been identified through intense discussion with all stakeholders involved in the field but mostly by patients and advocates.

The ABC Global Charter aims to drive change in the care of patients with ABC, tailoring actions to make them relevant and feasible for different geographies and capacities. The Actions for Change aim to achieve near and longer-term goals, to give patients a voice, to bring patient needs to the fore for driving decision-making and ultimately improve and extend their lives.

The ABC Global Charter was revised in 2022, for better wording and clarifications. In 2023, with the kind support of our community, we are working on the translation of this document into various languages. Would you like to add your language to the list? Reach out to us.

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ABC Global Charter 2022Arabic versionChinese versionDutch versionFrench versionGreek versionHungarian versionItalian versionPortuguese versionSpanish version
1
Help patients with ABC live longer by doubling ABC median overall survival by 2025
Enhance our understanding about ABC by increasing the collection of high quality data
3
Improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients with ABC
4
Ensure that all patients with ABC receive the best possible treatment and care by increasing availability of and access to care from a multidisciplinary team
5
Improve communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients with ABC through the provision of communication skills training for HCPs
6
Meet the informational needs of patients with ABC by using easy to understand, accurate and up-to-date information materials and resources
7
Ensure that patients with ABC are made aware of and are referred to non-clinical support services
8
Counteract the stigma and isolation associated with living with ABC by increasing public understanding of the condition
9
Ensure that patients with ABC have access to treatment regardless of their ability to pay
10
Help patients with ABC continue to work by implementing legislations that protects their right to work and ensures flexible and accommodating workplace environments

ABC GUIDELINES

The ABC guidelines are based on the most up-to-date evidence and can be used and adapted to guide treatment decisions in many different healthcare settings globally. They are updated at each biennial Advanced Breast Cancer International Consensus Conference, which has established itself as a major international breast cancer conference with the primary aim of developing international consensus guidelines for the management of ABC.

The ABC Consensus Conference's primary goal is the development of international consensus guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer patients. These guidelines are based on the most up-to-date evidence and can be used to guide treatment decision-making in many different healthcare settings globally, with the necessary adaptations due to different access to care. Throughout the years, these guidelines have been endorsed by several international and European oncology organisations, such as EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists), ESTRO (European Society of Radiation Oncology), ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology), UICC (Union International Contre le Cancer), SIS (Senologic International Society), ISS (International School of Senology), FLAM (Federación Latino-Americana de Mastología), OECI (Organisation of European Cancer Institutes), Susan G. Komen and BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation), and have official representation from ASCO. Several organisations around the world have been adapting these guidelines to their country specific environment, particularly in terms of accessibility.
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ABC Conference

ABC6 GUIDELINES

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ABC5 GUIDELINES

Annals of OncologyGuidelines Slide Set

ABC4 GUIDELINES

Annals of OncologyGuidelines Slide Set

ABC3 GUIDELINES

Annals of OncologyThe Breast

ABC2 GUIDELINES

Annals of OncologyThe Breast

ABC1 GUIDELINES

The Breast

ADVANCED BREAST CANCER INFORMATION

25% of all cancers in women are breast cancer
25% of all cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancer
80% of breast cancers in developing countries are diagnosed at the metastatic stage
80% of breast cancers in developing countries are diagnosed at the metastatic stage
20-30% of early breast cancer cases will relapse even with the best possible treatments
20-30% of early breast cancer cases will relapse even with the best possible treatments
2-3 years median survival for patients with ABC, and this has not changed significantly in decades
2-3 years: the median survival for patients with ABC, and this has not changed significantly in decades
Learn more

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer in 20201. Almost 700 000 people worldwide died from breast cancer in 2020, the majority of whom with advanced disease1. Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast multiply uncontrollably to form a tumour. While most cases of breast cancer occur in women it does occur in men too, although this is rare (about 1% of cases)2.Breast cancer which has spread to other parts of the body is referred to as metastatic or advanced breast cancer. Common sites for metastatic tumours to grow are the bones, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver, meaning that signs and symptoms of the disease can vary greatly in each patient3. Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) comprises inoperable Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC) and Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). MBC is also known as stage IV or secondary breast cancer4.‍

Treatment for the disease can include chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, biological therapy, radiation and in some cases also surgery5. Advanced and metastatic breast cancer is currently incurable, but treatable, with a median survival rate of 2-3 years, although variable according to the subtype of ABC6.‍

New technologies should help to accelerate advances in treatment.

With the advances in science, technology and communication tools, it is imperative that the cancer community around the globe joins forces to raise awareness of the disease and lobby for better outcomes for people living with ABC6.‍

The ABC Global Alliance aim is to improve and extend the lives of women and men living with ABC in all countries worldwide and to fight for a cure.

References:

  1. Globocan 2020, Available at https://gco.iarc.fr/today/home [Accessed 18 August 2022]
  2. American Cancer Society. What are the Key Statistics About Breast Cancer in Men. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/about/key-statistics.html [Accessed 24 February 2017]
  3. Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of Advanced Breast Cancer. Available at: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/advanced/symptoms [Accessed 1 March 2017]
  4. Cardoso et al. 2014. ESO-ESMO 2nd international consensus guidelines for advanced breast cancer (ABC2). Annals of Oncology 25 (1871-1888)
  5. Cancer Research UK. Breast Cancer Treatment. Available at http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment [Last accessed 07 April 2017]
  6. F. Cardoso, et al. ESO-ESMO 5th International Consensus Guidelines for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC 5). Published in Annals of Oncology (Annals of Oncology, volume 31, issue 12, September 2020, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.010)
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